Why Are French Fries Called Chips in Australia?
When Australia adopted British English, the terminology carried over, resulting in the use of ldquo;chipsrdquo; to refer to what are commonly known as ldquo;French friesrdquo; in other parts of the world. In Australia, the terms ldquo;friesrdquo; and ldquo;chipsrdquo; are not interchangeable, each carrying distinct meanings within different culinary contexts.
Fries vs. Chips: Not the Same
Australians have a unique way of referring to sliced fried potato pieces. Thin cut chips are considered ldquo;friesrdquo;, while thick-cut chips are known as ldquo;chipsrdquo;. This bilingual approach to describing fried potatoes is quite specific to the region.
Fast Food and Regular Shops
Fast food outlets usually label their items as ldquo;friesrdquo;, whereas in traditional fish and chip shops, customers typically order ldquo;chipsrdquo;. In Australia, ordering ldquo;friesrdquo; means you are specifically asking for a greasier, thinner fry. When you want thick-cut chips, you will ask for ldquo;chipsrdquo;.
The Influence of McDonald's
McDonald's, being an American franchise, offers ldquo;friesrdquo; in accordance with their global branding. This adherence to the American term is understandable, as they consistently call them ldquo;friesrdquo; everywhere else, making it a common reference in English-speaking countries. In Australia, McDonald's is known as Maccas, honoring the original British name.
The Composition and Quality
It is worth noting that the quality and composition of fries and chips can vary significantly. McDonald's fries, which are no more than 60% potato and 40% ldquo;filler,rdquo; resemble a product like Pringles, which are not purely made of potato. Conversely, real chips from a fish and chip shop are typically 100% potato, representing the purest form of the dish in Australia.
The Evolution of Terms
Potato chips, the precursors to modern French fries, arrived in Australia with the term ldquo;crisps.rdquo; Initially, the brand Smith's marketed their chips as ldquo;Smith's Crisps,rdquo; reflecting the British original. However, this term gradually changed as American influence grew, possibly due to the Beatles and other British Invasion cultural figures in the late 1950s and 1960s. Americans colloquially use ldquo;chipsrdquo; to refer to what the British call ldquo;crisps,rdquo; likely contributing to the shift in terminology in Australia.
The linguistic nuances around these terms showcase the dynamic nature of language and the diverse influences that shape it, especially in a melting pot like Australia.