Everyone knows that English originated in England and after some exploration and generations, the language took a U-turn to form the basic English we speak here in the states -with some leeway considering that not all people call a water fountain a bubbler, or a shopping cart a buggy, things like that.
As a matter of fact, I’m part English from my great-grandmother. She probably had different names for some things in her fridge. Some names might have come from being next-door neighbors to European countries, like calling an eggplant an aubergine. That’s French. Most things just come from what they do or look like for example cling film is plastic wrap.
I have an idea for a game. See if you can guess what these things are in the US from their UK names. If you can’t tell by the word alone, I’ll give you a clue.
Broad Beans- These are usually pale green and come in a can.
Black Treacle- This is a sticky sweet goop that’s popular down south, and in Harry Potter’s favorite dessert.
Chips- They don’t come in a bag. More like on the side with dipping sauce.
Fairy Cake- If it’s for a fairy, it must be small.
Courgette- Long, green and full of seeds
Coriander- Not the Indian spice! Think Spanish herb.
Gammon This looks like the French word “Jambon”
Powdered Like a POWDERED doughnut.
Maize Spanish word again. Direct translation
Marrow It’s kind of round and colorful vegetables
Muesli Usually it’s in cereal.
Pilchards The fish that squish close together in a tin.
Kippers Smoked gray other kind of fish, associated with Jews.
Rasher Usually cooked in strips
Runner Beans Long skinny beans
Sarnie/Butty Filled with jam, or maybe cold-cuts lettuce etc.
Squash This one you don’t actually eat, so grab a glass.
Most of the answers are HERE
Tell us how you did. Tell us any other names for food that you know. It’s handy to build up your vocab for when you crack open a new culture’s cookbook. Some say that words are fun