Ever ordered something abroad and ended up with a totally unexpected dish? Food names can be surprisingly deceptive depending on where you are in the world. What’s a “biscuit” in the U.S. is a “cookie” in the U.K., and asking for “lemonade” in England might leave you with something closer to Sprite. Whether you’re traveling or just curious, these food translations might just save you from a hilarious mix-up, or help you embrace a delicious surprise!
Chips (U.S.) vs. Chips (U.K.)
In the U.S., “chips” are thin, crispy potato snacks, while in the U.K., “chips” refer to thick-cut French fries. If you ask for chips in London, expect a plate of hot, chunky fries instead of a bag of Lay’s. The confusion gets even trickier when you realize that what Americans call fries, the British often call “French fries”.
Biscuits (U.S.) vs. Biscuits (U.K.)
An American biscuit is a soft, buttery bread roll often served with gravy, whereas a British biscuit is what Americans call a cookie. Ordering biscuits and gravy in England might get you some strange looks! Even more confusing, British biscuits are often dunked in tea, which would be a disaster with an American-style biscuit.
Pudding (U.S.) vs. Pudding (U.K.)
In the U.S., pudding is a creamy, sweet dessert, but in the U.K., it can mean anything from Yorkshire pudding (a savory bread) to black pudding (a type of blood sausage). One is a tasty treat, and the other is definitely an acquired taste. In Britain, “pudding” is often used as a general term for dessert, so you never quite know what you’re getting.
Jelly (U.S.) vs. Jelly (U.K.)
Americans spread jelly on toast, but in the U.K., jelly is what Americans call Jell-O. If you ask for peanut butter and jelly in Britain, you might end up with an odd sandwich. To avoid confusion, Brits use “jam” for what Americans know as jelly, making PB&J more of a PB&J(am).
Entrée (U.S.) vs. Entrée (France)
In the U.S., an entrée is the main course of a meal, but in France, “entrée” refers to the appetizer. If you order an entrée in Paris, don’t be surprised if you only get a small starter. The word originally meant “entry” in French, which makes sense when you realize it’s just the beginning of the meal.
Pepperoni (U.S.) vs. Pepperoni (Italy)
In the U.S., pepperoni means spicy, cured sausage, but in Italy, “peperoni” simply refers to bell peppers. If you order a pepperoni pizza in Rome, you might get one covered in sweet peppers instead of spicy salami. To get the American version, you’ll need to ask for “salame piccante” or “diavola”.
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Corn Dog (U.S.) vs. Corn Dog (Australia)
the U.S., a corn dog is a deep-fried hot dog coated in cornmeal batter, while in Australia, the same thing is called a “Dagwood Dog” or “Pluto Pup.” Same delicious treat, different name Down Under. If you visit a fair in Australia, you might not find “corn dogs” at all, but Pluto Pups are everywhere.
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Lemonade (U.S.) vs. Lemonade (U.K.)
American lemonade is a tart, homemade drink with real lemon juice and sugar, but British lemonade is a carbonated, clear soft drink. If you order lemonade in England, expect something more like Sprite. To get the American version, you’d have to ask for “still lemonade”.
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Milkshake (U.S.) vs. Milkshake (Australia)
In the U.S., a milkshake is thick, creamy, and made with ice cream, but in Australia, a milkshake is often just flavored milk. If you want an American-style shake in Australia, you’d better ask for a “thickshake.” Even then, thickshakes can vary wildly in consistency depending on where you get them.
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Muffin (U.S.) vs. Muffin (U.K.)
American muffins are sweet, cake-like treats, while British muffins are flat, round bread rolls meant for toasting. If you ask for a muffin in London, you might end up with something closer to an English muffin. Ironically, English muffins are rarely referred to as such in the U.K., they’re just “muffins”.
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Toasted Sandwich (U.S.) vs. Toastie (U.K.)
A toasted sandwich in the U.S. is often called a grilled cheese, while in the U.K., it’s a “toastie.” Brits love their toasties packed with cheese and sometimes beans for extra flavor. Many cafes and pubs even have dedicated “toastie” menus with endless filling options.
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Crisps (U.K.) vs. Crisps (Ireland)
In the U.K., “crisps” are what Americans call potato chips, but in Ireland, some brands also refer to them as “taytos,” named after a popular local brand. You’ll never just call them “chips” there. In fact, Tayto is so beloved that Ireland even has a Tayto-themed amusement park.
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Taco (U.S.) vs. Taco (Mexico)
American tacos are usually hard-shelled and loaded with toppings, while in Mexico, tacos have soft corn tortillas with simpler fillings. Authentic Mexican tacos are smaller and packed with bold, fresh flavors. In Mexico, if you ask for a hard-shell taco, you might get a confused look.
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Pancakes (U.S.) vs. Pancakes (U.K.)
American pancakes are thick and fluffy, but British pancakes resemble thin crepes. If you order pancakes in England, you might get a delicate, foldable treat instead of a stack of buttermilk goodness. On Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday), Brits enjoy them with lemon and sugar instead of syrup.
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Gravy (U.S.) vs. Gravy (Italy)
In the U.S., gravy is a thick sauce made from meat drippings, but in Italian-American families, “gravy” can also mean a rich, tomato-based pasta sauce. If an Italian-American says “Sunday gravy,” expect a pot of slow-cooked marinara with meat. The debate over whether it’s called sauce or gravy is a fierce one in Italian-American households.
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Food is universal, but language? Not so much. The next time you find yourself in a different country, don’t be afraid to double-check the menu, or better yet, try something new! After all, you might just discover a hidden gem in a dish you never expected. And if all else fails, just point at someone else’s plate and say, “I’ll have what they’re having!“
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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