Megaterio Llamas wrote:Benwahwah wrote:Megaterio Llamas wrote:
You know Ben, I remember when we called them chips here in Vancouver. I recall being surprised to see them listed as 'french fries' on the menu when the first McDonald's franchise opened here in the 60s. It was obviously the American influence through franchises like McDonald's that was responsible for the change but whenever I try to tell people this they look at me like I'm crazy.
To me 'french fries' and chips are different things. A french fry is long and thin and a chip is chunkier. What DB posted would definitely qualify as a chip.
But I agree, 'fries' are becoming increasingly common in the UK as well. The fried chicken shops have seen to that.
But there is still the distinction that I just mentioned.
Yes, the traditional thick cut ones you get here in fish and chips shops are still called chips as well, but in the old days there was no such thing here as french fries at all. Even the ones that come with hamburgers were called chips, and they were thicker cut than what it served at burger joints today. We also called napkins 'serviettes' back then. A few things like that have changed over time.
Seems that Canada still has some sense. Agreed on the fact that chips used to mean everything including what are now known as fries. Hell, the town I lived in didn't get a McDonalds until 1996. It was quite a big deal at the time. It's still a 45 minute drive to the closest KFC from my hometown.
I've always called napkins, napkins though. Maybe that is something that had already changed by the time I was growing up.
