Have you ever been confused by food names when talking to someone from another country? In the UK, people say “biscuits,” but in the US, they call them “cookies.” If you’re in Britain and someone offers you “chips,” you might get fries instead of potato chips! British and American English share many words, but some food names are surprisingly different.
In this article, we’ll look at some common food names that change between British and American English. By learning these differences, you’ll find it easier to order food, understand menus, and chat with friends from both sides of the Atlantic.
British vs. American Food Names
When it comes to food, the British have a much bigger appetite than Americans. A British breakfast typically includes sausages, eggs, bacon, beans, black pudding, mushrooms, and toast, matched with a beverage such as coffee or tea. The American breakfast, on the other hand, can be quite varied in juxtaposition.
Aside from appetite, dining etiquette is also quite different between these two. One noticeable difference is the way Brits and Americans hold their knives and forks. In the UK, eating out is a way to celebrate an occasion or to mark a milestone while Americans dine out all the time. A possible reason could be because restaurants in the US are way cheaper than in the UK.
List of British vs. American Food
Aubergine —–<>—– Eggplant
Beetroot —–<>—– Beet
Biscuit —–<>—– Cookie
Black Treacle —–<>—– Molasses
Broad Bean —–<>—– Lima Bean
Candyfloss —–<>—– Cotton Candy
Chips —–<>—– French Fries
Cling Film —–<>—– Plastic Wrap
Cooker —–<>—– Range, Stove
Courgette —–<>—– Zucchini
Coriander—–<>—– Cilantro
Crisps —–<>—– (Potato) Chips
Cutlery —–<>—– Silverware
Desiccated Coconut —–<>—– Shredded Coconut
Eggy Bread —–<>—– (Fried) French Toast
Fairy Cake —–<>—– Cup Cake
Flan —–<>—– Fruit Pie
Food, Grub, Nosh —–<>—– Food
Gammon —–<>—– Ham
Gherkin —–<>—– Pickle
Icing Sugar —–<>—– Confectioner’s Sugar
Powdered —–<>—– Sugar
Jug —–<>—– Pitcher
Kipper —–<>—– Smoked Herring
Maize —–<>—– Corn
Marrow —–<>—– Squash
Mid – Morning Meal —–<>—– Brunch
Minced Meat —–<>—– Ground Meat
Muesli —–<>—– Granola
Pepper —–<>—– Bell Pepper
Pilchards —–<>—– Sardines
Porridge —–<>—– Oatmeal
Puddings, Afters, Dessert, Sweets —–<>—– Dessert
Rasher —–<>—– A Slice of Bacon
Runner Beans —–<>—– Green Beans, String Beans
Rubbish —–<>—– Garbage, Trash
Sandwich, Butty, Sarnie —–<>—– Sandwich
Sausage, Banger —–<>—– Sausage
Scone —–<>—– Biscuit
Semolina —–<>—– Cream of Wheat, Manna
Serviette —–<>—– Napkin
Semi-Skimmed Milk —–<>—– 2% Milk, Low-fat milk
Smoked Salmon —–<>—– Lox
Sorbet —–<>—– Sherbet
Spring Onions —–<>—– Green Onions
Squash —–<>—– Juice Concentrate
Starter —–<>—– Appetizer
Sweets —–<>—– Candy
Tin —–<>—– Can
Toasted Cheese (Sandwich) —–<>—– Grilled Cheese