Proof Americans and Brits speak a different language

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  • TrudyTrudy Heaven Host, 8th Day Host
    In that context, when I say chips I mean fries. Here in Newfoundland the two terms are pretty interchangeable, with the older generation (my age, 50+ and up) more likely to call them chips, and younger folks more likely to say fries. But we also use the term chips for what the British call crisps.

    Context makes it pretty clear what you're talking about, as people know the difference between what you get with "fish and chips" and what you get with "a bag of chips and a bottle of drink" (I have recently been informed that nobody except Nflders refers to a soft drink/soda/pop as a "bottle of drink" or a "can of drink," but we do).
  • Nick TamenNick Tamen Shipmate
    When I was young, what you hauled away from the chip shop or the off-licence was a 'carry-out' , but when I crossed the Atlantic it became a 'take-away'. Or is this just my scrambled memory confounding me again?
    We’d generally call it “take out” here (American South).

  • In my US locale, I hear both carry-out and takeout, with perhaps a 2:1 preference for takeout. Only weird Brits like me call it a "takeaway" although everyone understands what that means.

    I've never heard it used for something you buy from the off-licence, though - that's just "shopping". It gets used at the local brewpub, which will also sell you beer to take away.
  • mousethiefmousethief Shipmate
    In addition to "carry out" and "takeout" we also have "to go".
  • mousethiefmousethief Shipmate
    Firenze wrote: »
    Lyda wrote: »
    Around this bit of SoCal onion rings and deep fried zucchini are acceptable sides.

    In batter? Tell me they're in batter - if it's crispy enough, I'm moving there.

    There's a fried chicken chain in Chicago that offered deep fried (battered) mushrooms. Yummmm.
  • Graven ImageGraven Image Shipmate
    Just ran across a local hamburger place that offers fried okra. Not big on burgers, but the fried okra wants me to give it a try.
  • The fish and chip shop in Dorchester, Dorset used to sell deep fried battered mushrooms and pea fritters with frozen peas. Haven't been there for years to see if they still do.
  • When I was young, what you hauled away from the chip shop or the off-licence was a 'carry-out' , but when I crossed the Atlantic it became a 'take-away'. Or is this just my scrambled memory confounding me again?

    Where I live on the Canadian prairies "take out". We don't have chip shops. People will say fish and chips, but they're fries other wise. Normal is to have ketchup and/or vinegar with them.

    Poutine is fries with cheese curds, for me, hold the gravy. Pooh'tin is the pronunciation I'm used to, but I hear pooh-teen more often with emphasis on the second syllable.
  • orfeoorfeo Shipmate
    "Take away" here. None of the other variations.
  • Nick TamenNick Tamen Shipmate
    Just ran across a local hamburger place that offers fried okra. Not big on burgers, but the fried okra wants me to give it a try.
    Fried okra is food of the gods.

  • mousethiefmousethief Shipmate
    Just had fried okra (for the first time) last week! The texture was good but the flavor was kind of dull. Used sauce; with which it was great.
  • EnochEnoch Shipmate
    Normally a 'takeaway' in England. A 'takeaway' is a meal, not a bottle or a drink, though you might buy a soft drink to have with it. Chippies and takeaways don't normally have licences. To me a 'carry-oot' is as Scots as a Mars Bar in batter.


    I can't imagine that even frying or putting it in batter would make okra anything other than inedibly revolting. Okra has gone down in my memory as nearly as horrible as gefilte fish.

  • Nick TamenNick Tamen Shipmate
    Enoch wrote: »
    I can't imagine that even frying or putting it in batter would make okra anything other than inedibly revolting. Okra has gone down in my memory as nearly as horrible as gefilte fish.
    Okra is a staple of Southern American cuisine. Fried okra is breaded, not battered.* Okra is wonderful if cooked properly (fried, roasted, grilled or in gumbo is best), but somewhat slimy otherwise (particularly steamed).

    *As should be onion rings in my opinion. I know others my disagree, but I’m not a fan of battered onion rings.

  • I’ve had curried okra (bhindi bhaji) when I was younger and thought it horrible but recently had a simple okra soup dish from a Nigerian take away which was delicious
  • This western Canadian has never seen okra.
    No idea the difference between battered and breaded. They're the same to me.
    People like to do breaded zucchini which seems odd to me. A perfectly good mild vegetable that's good raw when small and lightly fried when older.
  • I like okra/ladies' fingers/bhindi or whatever you call it; fried in small rings is a completely different taste and texture to curried in a bhaji.

    Breadcrumb coating can be nicer than batter, depends on whether it's proper homemade crumb, not the purchased bright orange synthetic crumbs covering, say, fish fingers.

    The other meal options are the meal deals found in supermarkets - a sandwich, packet of crisps or pot of fruit and a drink at a set price (maybe £3.50/£4.50 now - used to be £3 a few years back).
  • FirenzeFirenze Shipmate, Host Emeritus
    Depends what you mean by 'lightly' fried. I oil up a ridged metal pan and grill it until it has black stripes.

    But if I could have the crispy fritters I had that time in Athens I would.
  • Nick TamenNick Tamen Shipmate
    This western Canadian has never seen okra.
    No idea the difference between battered and breaded. They're the same to me.
    Battered means dipped and coated in a batter (typically egg, milk/buttermilk, flour, perhaps beer), and then deep fried.

    Breaded means dipped in egg (as a binder) then dipped or tossed in breadcrumbs or perhaps flour or cornmeal and then fried.
  • Sounds awful. Deep fried anything being awful.
  • mousethiefmousethief Shipmate
    Nick Tamen wrote: »
    Enoch wrote: »
    I can't imagine that even frying or putting it in batter would make okra anything other than inedibly revolting. Okra has gone down in my memory as nearly as horrible as gefilte fish.
    Okra is a staple of Southern American cuisine. Fried okra is breaded, not battered.* Okra is wonderful if cooked properly (fried, roasted, grilled or in gumbo is best), but somewhat slimy otherwise (particularly steamed).

    *As should be onion rings in my opinion. I know others my disagree, but I’m not a fan of battered onion rings.

    Agreed on onion rings. Josephine's dad passed down a recipe for onion rings/straws where you soak the onions in milk, then toss them in seasoned flour, then fry. We never seem to be able to get them to the table.
  • LeafLeaf Shipmate
    Sounds awful. Deep fried anything being awful.

    I am not a fluent speaker of Southern American English, but I believe the correct response to this would be "Bless your heart."
  • mousethiefmousethief Shipmate
    Leaf wrote: »
    Sounds awful. Deep fried anything being awful.

    I am not a fluent speaker of Southern American English, but I believe the correct response to this would be "Bless your heart."

    🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
  • Leaf wrote: »
    Sounds awful. Deep fried anything being awful.

    I am not a fluent speaker of Southern American English, but I believe the correct response to this would be "Bless your heart."

    Does this reference lipids and cholesterol?
  • Nick TamenNick Tamen Shipmate
    Leaf wrote: »
    Sounds awful. Deep fried anything being awful.

    I am not a fluent speaker of Southern American English, but I believe the correct response to this would be "Bless your heart."
    Very aptly used. :wink:

  • I disavow any prior acquaintance with @NOprophet_NØprofit! He doesn't know the difference between battered and breaded? How could he face his (e.g.) Nova Scotian or Newfoundland cousins? Mine certainly have their cod battered, not breaded.

    Question for those wherever - Do you use a condiment on onion rings? I like mine with vinegar. A friend of mine, born in Antigonish, lived in Montréal, now in Toronto, is a convert to the Vinegar Party.
  • My Nova Scotia relatives are western Canada and Quebec transplants. I like everything fish. All of it. I want it to taste fishy.
  • FirenzeFirenze Shipmate, Host Emeritus
    Not like battered and deep fried? O tempura! O mores!
  • Gee DGee D Shipmate
    Firenze wrote: »
    Not like battered and deep fried? O tempura! O mores!

    Naughty!
  • Lamb ChoppedLamb Chopped Shipmate
    :anguished: :anguished: :anguished:

    :lol:
  • Graven ImageGraven Image Shipmate
    A little American Independence Day Humor for July 4th.

    King George III, Colour
    George Washington Color

    King Homour
    Washington Humor

    King Flavour
    Washington Flavor

    King What are you doing?
    Washington Getting rid of u.
  • A little American Independence Day Humor for July 4th.

    King George III, Colour
    George Washington Color

    King Homour
    Washington Humor

    King Flavour
    Washington Flavor

    King What are you doing?
    Washington Getting rid of u.

    I can see why this didn't make it into the book for 'Hamilton'...
  • AnselminaAnselmina Shipmate
    orfeo wrote: »
    Gee D wrote: »
    mousethief wrote: »
    I was today years old when I first came across the barbarism "jailor".

    Not sure why it is a barbarism, apart from the fact that it should be gaoler.

    "Jailer" would be just fine.

    You mean like the Bible has it? I mean, folks, that's the Word of God no less!! If it's good enough for the Lord it's good enough for anybody :wink:
  • EirenistEirenist Shipmate
    Is the deploragable usage 'for free', meaning 'for nothing', or 'free' ('Scan your chargecard for the chance to get your shopping for free') prevalent in North America?
  • Nick TamenNick Tamen Shipmate
    Yes.
  • KarlLBKarlLB Shipmate
    Eirenist wrote: »
    Is the deploragable usage 'for free', meaning 'for nothing', or 'free' ('Scan your chargecard for the chance to get your shopping for free') prevalent in North America?

    Deplorable why?
  • mousethiefmousethief Shipmate
    I disavow any prior acquaintance with @NOprophet_NØprofit! He doesn't know the difference between battered and breaded? How could he face his (e.g.) Nova Scotian or Newfoundland cousins? Mine certainly have their cod battered, not breaded.

    Question for those wherever - Do you use a condiment on onion rings? I like mine with vinegar. A friend of mine, born in Antigonish, lived in Montréal, now in Toronto, is a convert to the Vinegar Party.

    tartar sauce
  • orfeoorfeo Shipmate
    Anselmina wrote: »
    orfeo wrote: »
    Gee D wrote: »
    mousethief wrote: »
    I was today years old when I first came across the barbarism "jailor".

    Not sure why it is a barbarism, apart from the fact that it should be gaoler.

    "Jailer" would be just fine.

    You mean like the Bible has it? I mean, folks, that's the Word of God no less!! If it's good enough for the Lord it's good enough for anybody :wink:

    Now I want to go check a King James Version...
  • @mousethief Tartar sauce for onion rings? That would not have occurred to me, but I'm not opposed to it in principle. I'll try it.
  • mousethiefmousethief Shipmate
    @mousethief Tartar sauce for onion rings? That would not have occurred to me, but I'm not opposed to it in principle. I'll try it.

    This is Seattle. We eat tartar sauce on everything. My parents were visiting some other region of our beautiful country and asked for tartar sauce for their fries. The server said, "I'll bet you're from Seattle."
  • FirenzeFirenze Shipmate, Host Emeritus
    I've never seen the charm of tartar sauce myself. But I'm prepared to allow that it may be one of these things - like pesto - where the bottled stuff is a world away from the fresh article.
  • EirenistEirenist Shipmate
    Why not just say 'free'?
  • KarlLBKarlLB Shipmate
    Eirenist wrote: »
    Why not just say 'free'?

    Because some people's dialects use a preposition. I can't see what's so terrible. Perhaps in their dialects "free" can't be used adverbally so needs the "for" to create an adverbial phrase.
  • Nick TamenNick Tamen Shipmate
    Firenze wrote: »
    I've never seen the charm of tartar sauce myself.
    Me neither, I’m afraid.

    If onion rings are, as the angels intend, breaded rather than battered, then any condiment may well be superfluous. But if one is desired, a good comeback sauce works well.

  • quetzalcoatlquetzalcoatl Shipmate
    KarlLB wrote: »
    Eirenist wrote: »
    Why not just say 'free'?

    Because some people's dialects use a preposition. I can't see what's so terrible. Perhaps in their dialects "free" can't be used adverbally so needs the "for" to create an adverbial phrase.

    Also, a lot of these things work by analogy, thus, for nothing, for a lot of money, etc., may influence for free. But as you say, dialects differ from standard English.
  • Rev per MinuteRev per Minute Shipmate
    edited July 6
    KarlLB wrote: »
    Eirenist wrote: »
    Why not just say 'free'?

    Because some people's dialects use a preposition. I can't see what's so terrible. Perhaps in their dialects "free" can't be used adverbally so needs the "for" to create an adverbial phrase.

    Also, a lot of these things work by analogy, thus, for nothing, for a lot of money, etc., may influence for free. But as you say, dialects differ from standard English.

    I think the point of this thread is to show that there is no such thing as Standard English! Even if English was only spoken in England, 'standard' would only be defined by a (self-appointed) authority's choice, not by one version being the root of all the others. No 'Academie Anglaise', no standard version of the language.
  • Nick TamenNick Tamen Shipmate
    Many churches in these parts are adopting a sticker system. Typically, though not always, the stickers are affixed to name tags (which are fairly common in these parts—not a trend I particularly like, but there it is). The stickers are red, yellow and green. Red means “I’m here, but I’m really not comfortable getting too close to people yet.” Yellow means “Some closeness and some limited contact is okay, but take it slowly please.” Green basically means “Bring on the hugs, I’m fine with them.” The idea is that the stickers give people a way to honor others’ comfort levels without having to announce them or ask about them.

  • KarlLB wrote: »
    Eirenist wrote: »
    Why not just say 'free'?

    Because some people's dialects use a preposition. I can't see what's so terrible. Perhaps in their dialects "free" can't be used adverbally so needs the "for" to create an adverbial phrase.
    I assumed that "free" meant "free of charge", so the "for" doesn't belong there.
    ---
    In other news, being in New York for the 4th July, my beloved mother-in-law had me put up her Stars and Stripes flag on the porch. Nobody else would have had the nerve to ask.
  • I'm left wondering which dialect of English has 'homour' rather than 'humour' or 'humor'.

    Tartare sauce is for use with fish. It may go with other things but it makes the Baby Jesus cry.
  • I'm left wondering which dialect of English has 'homour' rather than 'humour' or 'humor'.

    Tartare sauce is for use with fish. It may go with other things but it makes the Baby Jesus cry.
    :naughty: Tangent:
    What is wrong with making Baby Jesus cry? I don't recall anything about Jesus crying ever.
    /Tangent
  • mousethiefmousethief Shipmate
    Nick Tamen wrote: »
    Firenze wrote: »
    I've never seen the charm of tartar sauce myself.
    Me neither, I’m afraid.

    If onion rings are, as the angels intend, breaded rather than battered, then any condiment may well be superfluous. But if one is desired, a good comeback sauce works well.

    Agree. Tartar sauce is for battered o rings. Breaded o rings need no accompaniment other than beer/cider.
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