Although Amsterdam dialect is of course not a real language, it does settle this question: Amsterdammers say het Singel. Quite tricky, because 'De' really rolls off the tongue more easily. (Dutch has two words for 'the': 'de' and 'het'.) If we look at the term 'Singel', used in Dutch for, among other things, a canal around or in a city, the Van Dale dictionary calls it a masculine noun, so the article 'de' applies. But then again, in this context Singel is the name of a canal, and different rules may well apply...
Het Singel is an Amsterdam institution
In that respect we do not like to say it, but the answer to this question is not conclusive. So we will leave it at a very strong piece of advice: in Amsterdam you say het Singel.
The King's canal
While we are on the subject of fun facts about the Singel, it is worth mentioning that this canal was once temporarily called De Koningsgracht (the King's Canal) in honour of the French King Henry IV. He was an important ally of the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands. Admittedly, it was quite a while ago, we are talking about the 17th century. To this day there is a living reminder of that time, because when the Koningsgracht became the Singel again, the name of the square on which the canal lies stayed intact: Het Koningsplein (the King's Square).
This royal combination of names is of course far more logical. A few city councillors thought so too some years ago, and tried to rename the Singel back to Koningsgracht. The proposal did not get through the council, however, and foundered.
A mnemonic for the canals
Curious about a mnemonic to remember the order of Amsterdam's canals? Piet Koopt Hoge Schoenen (Piet Buys High Shoes) is going to help you! Read more in this article.
