Old Frisian bears a striking similarity to Old English. For this reason, Eddie Izzard goes to Friesland to try and speak Old English.

It should be noted, however, that after at least five hundred years of being subjected to the influence of Dutch it is obvious to most observers that nowadays Frisian bears greater similarity to Dutch. Also, one has to take into account the centuries long drift of English away from Frisian.

One rhyme demonstrates the palpable similarity between Frisian and English: "Bread, butter and green cheese is good English and good Friese," which is pronounced more or less the same in both languages (Frisian: "Brea, bûter, en griene tsiis is goed Ingelsk en goed Frysk.")

Eddie intends to prove the close relationship between English and Frisian by going to Holland to buy a cow.