The English language can be a tricky thing, and while the U.S. and the U.K. may share a language, their food vocabularies often diverge in hilarious and surprising ways. If you’ve ever been confused while ordering food in the U.K., don’t worry, you’re not imagining it. Here’s a guide to foods you didn’t know had a British identity of their own.
French Fries to Chips
What Americans call “French fries” is simply called “chips” in the United Kingdom. So when you go to the U.K., make sure you’re ordering the right food, as ordering chips might not have the desired outcome you’re looking for as an American. You’ll also notice that British chips are typically thicker and often come served with their classic “fish and chips,” which is a beloved takeaway throughout the entire country.
Potato Chips to Crisps
Potato chips in the U.S. become “crisps” in the United Kingdom, which is a noteworthy change that can avoid a lot of confusion. Some of the most popular flavors include prawn cocktail and salt and vinegar. The Brits absolutely love their crisps, with their seasonings often being more varied than their American counterparts. They make a popular pub snack and lunchbox item alike.
Cookies to Biscuits
In the United Kingdom, “cookies” are a type of biscuit that is usually chewy and soft. In fact, the word “biscuit” refers to any small, sweet, baked (and sometimes savory) snack. Americans might see a biscuit and think of a fluffy, buttery piece of bread, which is virtually unknown in the U.K. The biscuits there are usually eaten with tea and come in different varieties like Hobnobs and Bourbons, just to name a few.
Candy to Sweets
If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll need to be on the lookout for “sweets,” not “candy.” Everything in the U.K., from gummy bears to chocolate bars, falls under the term “sweets.” Just visit any British sweet shop to reveal rows and rows of colorful confections that may look familiar, but now have different names than you might remember.
Jell-O to Jelly
The U.S. has Jell-O, which is a wobbly, gelatin dessert, but in the United Kingdom, it’s called “jelly.” You shouldn’t confuse it with jam, as British jelly is fruit-flavored and often served at parties with a combination of ice cream and custard. What Americans call “jelly” is a spread in their mind, but that is rarely found in the U.K. and is replaced by “jam,” which goes perfectly with scones or toast.
Arugula to Rocket
Arugula, which is popular in many salads, is known as “rocket” throughout the U.K. Interestingly enough, the name originated from the French word “roquette,” which is odd, as the Brits aren’t always too fond of the French. Although the word might sound more accustomed to a sci-fi film than a salad ingredient, rocket is found in many different British cuisines, like sandwiches, pizzas, or simply tossed together with olive oil and lemon juice.
Zucchini to Courgette
While “zucchini” is an Italian word often used in America, in the U.K., the same vegetable is referred to by its French name, “courgette.” It’s the exact same food that is perfect for spiralizing into low-carb noodles or roasting at a barbecue. The name swap was simply made because British English favors French-inspired culinary terms above others.
Eggplant to Aubergine
What is known as an “eggplant” in the U.S. is known as an “aubergine” in the U.K. It is another example of a word with French origins, and the plant itself is used in recipes like the parmigiana or certain curries. In fact, the word “eggplant” is actually quite scarce outside of North America, as many other English-speaking countries prefer the name “aubergine” over its American counterpart.
Cilantro to Coriander
“Cilantro” in America refers to a green leafy herb, with “coriander” typically referring to its dried seeds. However, in the U.K., both the seeds and the plant are simply called “coriander.” It’s quite common to get mixed up when using a British cooking recipe as an American, as their names are quite different, along with the ingredients used. So if a British recipe calls for coriander, it probably means the fresh leaves unless it specifies otherwise.
Ground Beef to Mince or Minced Beef
“Ground beef” in the U.K. goes by “mince” or “minced beef,” and it’s even labeled this way in recipes and supermarkets. The term even extends to other meats as well, like ground turkey being “minced turkey,” and so on. Classic British dishes like spaghetti Bolognese and cottage pie will definitely make use of “mince.”
Popsicle to Ice Lolly
A hot day in Britain calls for an “ice lolly,” not a popsicle. These treats are popular in summer and come in many different fruity flavors and shapes, much like those in the U.S. Many would argue the term “ice lolly” captures the fun and childlike nature of having a delicious, cold snack on a warm day, with the best place to find them being in corner shops or grocery stores selling packs of 5 or 10 during summer months.
Shrimp to Prawns
The term “prawns” is more common in the U.K. compared to “shrimp,” even though the two species are very closely related. There might be a slight biological difference between the two, but people tend to use the term interchangeably. A good example is the “prawn cocktail,” which is a classic British appetizer and is basically small prawns in a Marie Rose sauce served with lettuce.
Molasses to Treacle
“Treacle” is the U.K. equivalent of molasses, with it coming in both dark and light varieties. It’s a key ingredient in many traditional British desserts like treacle sponge pudding and treacle tart. Americans might only associate molasses with baking gingerbread, but treacle has a much more diverse presence in British cuisine.
Whipped Cream to Squirty Cream
“Whipped cream” may be understood in the U.K., but many Brits like to refer to the sweet topping as “squirty cream.” It’s the exact same light, airy dairy topping used on hot chocolate and a multitude of desserts like trifles. The name may sound funny to Americans (and everyone else), but it’s commonly used in stores and advertisements.
Granola to Muesli
Granola is known and also sold in the U.K., but its more common term for a similar breakfast is “muesli.” The term originated in Switzerland and is typically a less sweet version of granola, usually made with raw oats, nuts, and dried fruits. Granola is often crunchy and baked, while muesli is more often soaked in yogurt or milk, though the two are more or less the same for the most part.
