de kool en de geit sparen

Contexte culturel

This idiom is the linguistic heart of the 'Poldermodel'. It reflects the Dutch history of needing to cooperate across religious and political lines to manage water levels. While used in Flanders, it is sometimes seen as a sign of 'Belgitude'—the complex federal compromises between Dutch and French speakers. In Dutch corporate life, 'sparing the cabbage and the goat' is often a strategy used during 'reorganisaties' to prevent strikes. Teachers often use this phrase when dealing with disputes between students or parents.