The historical region of Holland, which occupied approximately the same area as the modern provinces of North- and South Holland, has long been and is now the richest, most culturally-developed, most industrialized, most-densely-populated region occupied by the Dutch — and, indeed, still ranks high in each of these categories in the entire modern world.

Holland, the region, has long been dominant over the area that is now Nederland — economically and culturally if not by explicit political-military rule. The word "Holland" has probably been synonymous with that power to many people at home and abroad.

It's possible to offend a Dutch person by refering to The Netherlands as "Holland" — but the offense can not be profound or acute.

And, in defense of anglophones — easily considered loutish — many other European languages use a name for The Netherlands that is a variation of "Holland." In fact, the ratio of translations in European languages appears to be almost evenly divided between such a variation and a local translation of "low country."

That's just how it is.

And it's the Dutch themselves, after all, for whom the chanting of "hup hup Holland" at an international soccer match is pro forma.

So, really, to call The Netherlands "Holland" is not much of a social gaffe at all. It's possible that an anglophone (maybe especially a writer) will get advice on the matter.