As an Australian I can comment on this, theres this wonderful thing called "Context"
At McDonalds they refer to them as fries, but if you ask for a large chips, they know what you mean. If you go into a petrol station and ask where the crisps are, nobodies head explodes. If you go into a place that has ALL 3 (french fries, chips and crisps) and say "Can I get some chips" the person will ask for clarificaton.
British roots and American television has made OUR english quite flexible.
As a rule most people I know think of french fries or fries as thin cut and chips as thick cut. Most restaraunts only do one or the other. If you ask for steak and chips and they do fries, they will either clarify for you (more likely) or just bring you fries.
Context and qualifying information. All 3 are considered "chips" like a baguette, a hot dog bun and a regular sandwich loaf are all "bread"
Nobody asks for steak and chips expecting a packet of potato chips next to a plate with just a steak on it. People usually ask for "A packet of salt and vinegar chips please" they dont just shout "CHIPS!" at someone expecting them to figure shit out. If I were to send a child to the shop I would give specific information. "A Big bag of plain chips" or "A large hot chips"
I think they're describing how fries and chips as fries are different. Thick cut (or steak cut) fries are chips, shoestring fries are fries, and US chips/UK crisps are crisps if they serve all 3.
We also say chips and chips. If you need to clarify, crisps are "potato chips" and chips are "hot chips". A chippie is a shop that sells (fish and) chips, not the chips themselves.
Usually not a problem because of context but you can easily specify hot chips or packet chips in places where they might have both such as a school or sports canteen.
We got to know each other well prior to her conversion. She took a strict vow of silence, excluding “crisps”. We still talk. It’s impressive how much she can express with inflection.
We have wedges and curly fries here in the UK too :).
We have Chips, Fries, Curly Fries, Potato Wedges, Salt and Pepper chips, Ziggy Fries and many more I assume
I was about to ask where the hell you were from, that calling a fry a Jojo was a normal, acceptable thing, and then I didn't have to.
Fucking pop. The only thing worse is people in the South south who call every soft drink coke. I hope you are ready to die on that hill, because you're about to.
Ugh, “pop”. Your comment has mad Midwest vibes; you sound like my grandma.
Wtf is hotdish? I’ve never even heard of that before. Even my phone is telling me that that’s not a real word.
Honestly, the Midwest is something else. It’s like they intentionally do everything their own fucked up way just because.
“Reece’s Pieces? We’re gonna call them ‘Reecie’s Piecies’, even though the name isn’t ever pronounced ‘Reecie’ and the word is not ever pronounced ‘piecie’, because fuck you.”
You guys yell at anyone putting ketchup on a hotdog because it’s too sweet, and then proceed to absolutely drown it in sweet relish, the most foul condiment known to man. You guys have no right to consider yourselves the hotdog aficionados after that and only a fool would believe you.
A hotdish is a casserole dish that typically contains a starch, a meat, and a canned or frozen vegetable mixed with canned soup that must be served hot or warm.
Never had a hotdish? You should try my tatortot hotdish. You'll get it then.
As someone who says reecie's piecies, honestly it's just a fun way to say lmao. I've just gotten irony poisoned into always saying it.
How dare you insult relish, it's an essential part of every hotdog (pls don't tell my Chicago friends). Honestly I'd much rather have dill relish, but it's harder to find
Just came back from Australia. Chips (or crisps) don't seem to exist anywhere but grocery/convenience stores. So I never really heard them referred to as anything.
Restaurants exclusively serve fries as far as I could tell. Even with sandwiches. And they call them "chips" whether they are skinny or fat.
Where the fuck are you going to find a packet of chips outside of a supermarket. Restaurants overseas aren’t selling this shit alongside hot chips are they?
Also you can use fries, it’s not common and it really only refers to the little thin fuckers you get at maccas or some other fast food shitheap.
Americans use chips like a condiment. They even have preferences as to which flavours go on what sandwich or burger fillings. They're redneck sommeliers.
Chips (or crisps) don’t seem to exist anywhere but grocery/convenience stores.
That... that's normal, right? That's where chips are supposed to come from.
Like, I have been to a restaurant or two that had "chips" on the menu, usually as "fish and chips" or some other battered and fried stick of meat "and chips" where, to my supreme bewilderment, the side was a pile of Lays, but, like, those restaurants were universally run by geriatrics in the middle of nowhere, served food on paper plates, and where wrong.
From the perspective of an American, chips or crisps are a common side for lunch foods, particularly for sandwiches. In fancier restaurants / cafes, they can be fancier "kettle chips" which can also be house made.
I know fancy "crisps" may not make much sense outside of America, but we have taken thinly slice fried potatoes to a gourmet level here.
Edit- also, tortilla chips are also a common side in southern California, and they are not at all like anything you can get overseas without really looking. And no, I'm not talking about Tostitos style chips that are used for shitty dips.
In America, fries with sandwiches does exist, but it's more of a Diner thing, or restaurants that serve burgers and other entres that usually include fries. Chips with sandwiches is definitely much more common for cafes and delis where sandwiches are more of a primary menu option.
It's communicated by context cues the same way one word has different meanings and context points to towards the meaning the person is communicating with a word
Though it does get annoying when the context cues are missing for example someone asking you if you want chips and not specifying what type
I'm guessing Australian language for "chips" calls them both that because they are a product made from potato that is usually salted and the two in the image are just different styles of the same potato product
Unsure as to that question as Latin America spans continents, let alone countries. North, Central, and South America all have Latin American countries. Thats not even mentioning the islands.
“I’m not sure if it’s good to have freedom or not,” he said at a conference in 2009. “I’m gradually beginning to feel that we Chinese need to be controlled. If we’re not being controlled, we’ll just do what we want.”
118 Comments
Delphia@lemmy.world · 79 pts · 2y
As an Australian I can comment on this, theres this wonderful thing called "Context"
At McDonalds they refer to them as fries, but if you ask for a large chips, they know what you mean. If you go into a petrol station and ask where the crisps are, nobodies head explodes. If you go into a place that has ALL 3 (french fries, chips and crisps) and say "Can I get some chips" the person will ask for clarificaton.
British roots and American television has made OUR english quite flexible.
DarkDarkHouse@lemmy.sdf.org · 50 pts · 2y
I was with you until "ALL 3"... help
Delphia@lemmy.world · 26 pts · 2y
French fries and chips
As a rule most people I know think of french fries or fries as thin cut and chips as thick cut. Most restaraunts only do one or the other. If you ask for steak and chips and they do fries, they will either clarify for you (more likely) or just bring you fries.
ramble81@lemm.ee · 11 pts · 2y
That’s… still only two.
thegiddystitcher@lemm.ee · 9 pts · 2y
Thinly cut chips. Fat chips. Crisps.
Delphia@lemmy.world · 9 pts · 2y
Context and qualifying information. All 3 are considered "chips" like a baguette, a hot dog bun and a regular sandwich loaf are all "bread"
Nobody asks for steak and chips expecting a packet of potato chips next to a plate with just a steak on it. People usually ask for "A packet of salt and vinegar chips please" they dont just shout "CHIPS!" at someone expecting them to figure shit out. If I were to send a child to the shop I would give specific information. "A Big bag of plain chips" or "A large hot chips"
ada@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 6 pts · 2y
You're in for a whole experience then if you ever visit Scotland!
Delphia@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 2y
Ive been, the country that invented haggis doesnt get to enter in on food discussions.
A Scot went to culinary school and had to be told "boiling" something is just like deep frying but with water before he understood.
formergijoe@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 2y
I think they're describing how fries and chips as fries are different. Thick cut (or steak cut) fries are chips, shoestring fries are fries, and US chips/UK crisps are crisps if they serve all 3.
JokeDeity@lemm.ee · 2 pts · 2y
I thought I was understanding until this part of the thread and now I feel like you guys have to do a lot of clarification. 😂
MargotRobbie@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 2y
Pretty much.
cybervseas@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 2y
What do they ask in order to clarify?
ETA: "french fries or crisps?"
psud@aussie.zone · 6 pts · 2y
Not many places offer both, but "a packet of barbeque chips" vs "$5 worth of chips" or "small chips" are were distinct
In the imaginary situation where there are all three (why not more!)
jcit878@lemmy.world · 28 pts · 2y
it holds, but we might refer to "fries" as hot chips if there's possibility of confusion
Brickhead92@lemmy.world · 20 pts · 2y
I would say the distinction between fries and chips is the thickness.
Macca's has fries, KFC and a lot of other places have chips.
Agent641@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 2y
Do they have Red Rooster and Chicken Treat in the US?
Cheez@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 2y
Agent641@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 2y
Wait, they dont have Chicken Treat outside of Western Australia?!
You guys have never had Chicken Treat?!!
slazer2au@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 2y
Not seen them in QLD.
scottywh@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 2y
I've never heard of either so my guess is no.
Creazle@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 2y
I dunno, man. It's always been 'hot chips' for people I know if clarification is needed
2deck@lemmy.world · 26 pts · 2y
It's context sensitive. We know what we mean.
Couldn't be simpler.
Colour_me_triggered@lemm.ee · 8 pts · 2y
Fract@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 2y
Do you mean, chups and chuppies?
Colour_me_triggered@lemm.ee · 2 pts · 2y
matter@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 2y
We also say chips and chips. If you need to clarify, crisps are "potato chips" and chips are "hot chips". A chippie is a shop that sells (fish and) chips, not the chips themselves.
jackoneill@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 2y
simple as
stilgar@infosec.pub · 25 pts · 2y
They're Hot Chips if you're being fancy
jscummy@sh.itjust.works · 13 pts · 2y
Eat hot chip and lie
casmael@lemm.ee · 3 pts · 2y
All we know how to do is
Viking_Hippie@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 2y
Have you heard the song?
set_secret@lemmy.world · 21 pts · 2y
as an Australian let me explain, fast to get, unhealthy potato = chips.
The_Picard_Maneuver@startrek.website · 3 pts · 2y
That does seem simpler at least.
ada@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 20 pts · 2y
This isn't poking fun at us, this is just facts :)
Treczoks@kbin.social · 20 pts · 2y
Shut up and get some real i.e. Belgian fries.
FrostbyteIX@lemmy.world · 12 pts · 2y
Let's confuse them even more:
Hot chips and potato chips.
Kyogen@lemm.ee · 2 pts · 2y
How about a bag of French Fries potato chips?
MentallyExhausted@reddthat.com · 11 pts · 2y
They’re freedom fries now
The_Picard_Maneuver@startrek.website · 5 pts · 2y
Never forget
badcommandorfilename@lemmy.world · 11 pts · 2y
You see, Chips are deep fried slices of potato, but Chips are ..
TrippaSnippa@aussie.zone · 1 pts · 2y
Hot chips and potato chips if you need to be specific, for everything else there's context.
MBM@lemmings.world · 3 pts · 2y
Because hot chips are made from beets, of course :p
veroxii@aussie.zone · 10 pts · 2y
Usually not a problem because of context but you can easily specify hot chips or packet chips in places where they might have both such as a school or sports canteen.
zeppo@lemmy.world · 9 pts · 2y
My friend from Adelaide always says crisps.
MxM111@kbin.social · 35 pts · 2y
How do you have a conversation if they always say a single word?
zeppo@lemmy.world · 16 pts · 2y
We got to know each other well prior to her conversion. She took a strict vow of silence, excluding “crisps”. We still talk. It’s impressive how much she can express with inflection.
Hotdogman@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 2y
I am groot
someguy3@lemmy.ca · 4 pts · 2y
I am crisps.
girl@lemm.ee · 2 pts · 2y
Chips? Ice cream!
Creazle@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 2y
Yeah, but South Australians barely speak Australian
zebs@lemmy.world · 9 pts · 2y
Errr... I'm from the UK and they're fries. These are chips
If it's think it's fries, if it's thick it's a chip.
nyahlathotep@sh.itjust.works · 13 pts · 2y
I'm American, and I'd call those steak fries. We also have potato wedges, which aren't called fries for some reason and look like this
They're seasoned with a spice blend, and delicious. Do you have curly fries in the UK? They're a similar flavor.
BritishJ@lemmy.world · 11 pts · 2y
We have wedges and curly fries here in the UK too :). We have Chips, Fries, Curly Fries, Potato Wedges, Salt and Pepper chips, Ziggy Fries and many more I assume
nyahlathotep@sh.itjust.works · 7 pts · 2y
Had to google this, we call those crinkle-cut fries
FeetiePJs@kbin.social · 8 pts · 2y
Not anymore. How can we go back after realizing Ziggy Fries is an option?
flipthetube@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 2y
Why is it not Ziggy Chips? Sounds way better.
Might even tell people to call me that from now on…
BritishJ@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 2y
Because they're fries not chips ;)
jcit878@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 2y
wedges might be the only one I would only ever refer to as wedges and never as chips, while fries, crisps, hot chips are all "chips" as an australian
SubArcticTundra@lemmy.ml · 1 pts · 2y
Yes we do and they are delicious.
Depress_Mode@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 2y
In the US, those would be called either “steak fries”, “potato wedges”, or perhaps “Jojos”.
rockSlayer@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 2y
They're called JoJo's. I will die on this hill. Same goes for pop and hotdish.
Nepenthe@kbin.social · 5 pts · 2y
I was about to ask where the hell you were from, that calling a fry a Jojo was a normal, acceptable thing, and then I didn't have to.
Fucking pop. The only thing worse is people in the South south who call every soft drink coke. I hope you are ready to die on that hill, because you're about to.
Depress_Mode@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 2y
Ugh, “pop”. Your comment has mad Midwest vibes; you sound like my grandma.
Wtf is hotdish? I’ve never even heard of that before. Even my phone is telling me that that’s not a real word.
Honestly, the Midwest is something else. It’s like they intentionally do everything their own fucked up way just because.
“Reece’s Pieces? We’re gonna call them ‘Reecie’s Piecies’, even though the name isn’t ever pronounced ‘Reecie’ and the word is not ever pronounced ‘piecie’, because fuck you.”
You guys yell at anyone putting ketchup on a hotdog because it’s too sweet, and then proceed to absolutely drown it in sweet relish, the most foul condiment known to man. You guys have no right to consider yourselves the hotdog aficionados after that and only a fool would believe you.
nyahlathotep@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 2y
According to wikipedia
So it's just a casserole. Sounds yummy
Theharpyeagle@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 2y
Honestly I'm so onboard with hotdish. "Casserole" is one of the least appetizing names for a type of food.
rockSlayer@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 2y
Never had a hotdish? You should try my tatortot hotdish. You'll get it then.
As someone who says reecie's piecies, honestly it's just a fun way to say lmao. I've just gotten irony poisoned into always saying it.
How dare you insult relish, it's an essential part of every hotdog (pls don't tell my Chicago friends). Honestly I'd much rather have dill relish, but it's harder to find
Perfide@reddthat.com · 2 pts · 2y
They're only JoJo's when they have the skin on them still. Otherwise they're just thick cut fries.
It's soda, though, not pop. No idea what a hotdish even is, a casserole?
Native midwestern here, but I have no shame. I think ranch sucks, too
rockSlayer@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 2y
Heretic! I bet you also call water fountains "bubblers" you dirty Wisconsinite
Weslee@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 2y
Came here to say this, McDonald's give you fries, fish and chip shop gives you chips
Th4tGuyII@kbin.social · 1 pts · 2y
Yep, proper chips are thick cut.
The shops sometimes call them chips as well, as if they think just any rectangular cut potato qualifies to be a chip.
Calling those thin things chips should be an offence.
Wrench@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 2y
Just came back from Australia. Chips (or crisps) don't seem to exist anywhere but grocery/convenience stores. So I never really heard them referred to as anything.
Restaurants exclusively serve fries as far as I could tell. Even with sandwiches. And they call them "chips" whether they are skinny or fat.
Deceptichum@kbin.social · 11 pts · 2y
Where the fuck are you going to find a packet of chips outside of a supermarket. Restaurants overseas aren’t selling this shit alongside hot chips are they?
Also you can use fries, it’s not common and it really only refers to the little thin fuckers you get at maccas or some other fast food shitheap.
exoplanetary@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 2y
American here. Yeah, chips/crisps are sold in restaurants. They’re usually bagged too lmao. Like the restaurant just got them from the supermarket.
almar_quigley@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 2y
Please specify that is like super casual restaurants and maybe fast food. Not a general thing.
exoplanetary@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 2y
Yeah. There’s not many fancy restaurants that have that. But, like, most delis and bakeries you go to will usually have chips like that.
TheTetrapod@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 2y
Sandwich shops like Subway are the only places I can think of. Places that are only expected to make the "main course", as it were.
Deceptichum@kbin.social · 4 pts · 2y
Geez okay, that’s, just wow. Like why? What sort of person buys this.
Cabrio@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 2y
Americans use chips like a condiment. They even have preferences as to which flavours go on what sandwich or burger fillings. They're redneck sommeliers.
Theharpyeagle@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 2y
Chips on a sandwich just gives it such a nice texture. Plus it's extra salt and fat, what's not to like?
Kichae@kbin.social · 5 pts · 2y
That... that's normal, right? That's where chips are supposed to come from.
Like, I have been to a restaurant or two that had "chips" on the menu, usually as "fish and chips" or some other battered and fried stick of meat "and chips" where, to my supreme bewilderment, the side was a pile of Lays, but, like, those restaurants were universally run by geriatrics in the middle of nowhere, served food on paper plates, and where wrong.
Wrench@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 2y
From the perspective of an American, chips or crisps are a common side for lunch foods, particularly for sandwiches. In fancier restaurants / cafes, they can be fancier "kettle chips" which can also be house made.
I know fancy "crisps" may not make much sense outside of America, but we have taken thinly slice fried potatoes to a gourmet level here.
Edit- also, tortilla chips are also a common side in southern California, and they are not at all like anything you can get overseas without really looking. And no, I'm not talking about Tostitos style chips that are used for shitty dips.
RaivoKulli@sopuli.xyz · 2 pts · 2y
Wat
Wrench@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 2y
In America, fries with sandwiches does exist, but it's more of a Diner thing, or restaurants that serve burgers and other entres that usually include fries. Chips with sandwiches is definitely much more common for cafes and delis where sandwiches are more of a primary menu option.
x4740N@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 2y
It's communicated by context cues the same way one word has different meanings and context points to towards the meaning the person is communicating with a word
Though it does get annoying when the context cues are missing for example someone asking you if you want chips and not specifying what type
I'm guessing Australian language for "chips" calls them both that because they are a product made from potato that is usually salted and the two in the image are just different styles of the same potato product
Swarfega@lemm.ee · 5 pts · 2y
I've not seen that lulzsec character in a long long time...
ThrowawayPermanente@sh.itjust.works · 5 pts · 2y
Latin America: Hold my beer
Francis_Fujiwara@sh.itjust.works · 6 pts · 2y
Frituras, Papitas, Sabritas, Papas Fritas...
mykneedoesnthurt@kbin.social · 4 pts · 2y
You forgot Patatas fritas. I'm literally shaking right now.
CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org · 1 pts · 2y
So what are all these things? I'm OOTL.
Veilus@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 2y
Different words for chips/fries that are used differently depending on the region you're in.
CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org · 3 pts · 2y
So just like this but bigger, I guess.
How many different types would exist together in the same region? Like, in the UK they have 3 (fries, chips and crisps).
Veilus@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 2y
Unsure as to that question as Latin America spans continents, let alone countries. North, Central, and South America all have Latin American countries. Thats not even mentioning the islands.
dadGPT@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 2y
the only question i have is why does the person representing aussies looks like Jackie Chan?
The_Picard_Maneuver@startrek.website · 10 pts · 2y
Yeah, that rage comic reaction was made from a Jackie Chan image.
dimeslime@lemmy.ca · 5 pts · 2y
Fun fact: he lived in Australia in the 70s.
casmael@lemm.ee · 2 pts · 2y
Huh I had no idea
casmael@lemm.ee · 4 pts · 2y
Wait really?
CookieJarObserver@sh.itjust.works · 4 pts · 2y
lugal@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 2y
Gefunden den Deutschen
Somewhereunknown7351@kbin.social · 4 pts · 2y
Yes this does hold up
Ddhuud@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 2y
Papas fritas, papas fritas.
Synthead@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 2y
You know which one is what cause they call them potato chips
Teon@kbin.social · 3 pts · 2y
Flat chips and stick chips.
Venat0r@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 2y
*cheeps 🇦🇺
Pons_Aelius@kbin.social · 3 pts · 2y
And Chups if you happened to have been born across the Tasman.
Wilzax@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 2y
The best way is to use fries and crisps, and reserve chips for chocolate
Kolanaki@yiffit.net · 1 pts · 2y
French fries are technically more of a chip than a potato chip, definition wise. But I think your way is the best way, too.
NuPNuA@lemm.ee · 3 pts · 2y
None of those pictures are chips, they're all fries, chips are chunky.
McBain@feddit.ch · 3 pts · 2y
So you're also chips
supercriticalcheese@feddit.it · 3 pts · 2y
French: Les Frites; Les Chips
casmael@lemm.ee · 2 pts · 2y
Hon hon hon le bonjour
ThankYouVeryMuch@kbin.social · 2 pts · 2y
No Brit would refer to those as chips, they are fries in Britain too
SubArcticTundra@lemmy.ml · 3 pts · 2y
Only in McDonalds though. Chips are chunkier, right?
ThankYouVeryMuch@kbin.social · 2 pts · 2y
Yes, chips are thick and fries are thinner
snooggums@kbin.social · 1 pts · 2y
Needs a third column for chips/steak fries?
HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 2y
Where do chisps fit in
XTornado@lemmy.ml · 2 pts · 2y
Patatas fritas, patatas de bolsa.
uis@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 2y
Today I feel french
MonkderZweite@feddit.ch · 1 pts · 2y
KidsTryThisAtHome@lemmy.ml · 1 pts · 2y
theodewere@kbin.social · 1 pts · 2y
i object to the use of a portrait of Jeff Bezos to denote all Americans.. otherwise it's funny..
Deceptichum@kbin.social · 2 pts · 2y
I’ll take Bezos over Jackie “Hong Kong doesn’t deserve democracy“ Chan.
Syrc@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 2y
…what the fuck?
Pons_Aelius@kbin.social · 1 pts · 2y
Not sure if that is worse than "I have purchased US democracy" Bezos.