You might have seen the recent controversy surrounding Dutch Baby & Yorkshire Puddings. Brits have reacted to Americans suggesting they’ve invented a fluffy pancake named Dutch Baby, with their response saying that food item has been around in the UK for a long time and it is actually identified as the Yorkshire Pudding. We set out to look at what other food items the UK and US describe differently, and we also decided to have a little fun and mash up the terms too. Because let’s face it, some translations are that different, when combining the two you get some weird names… like Yorkshire Baby. Here’s what else we discovered when translating transatlantic foods: Advocaat + Eggnog = Advonog The British call it Advocaat, the Americans called it Eggnog, put together we get Advonog. Turns out whatever side of the pond you’re from, both are wrong. It’s a Dutch alcoholic beverage made from eggs, sugar and brandy and they call it Advocatenborrel. Chickpeas + Garbanzo = Chibanzo The British know them as Chickpeas, the American as Garbanzo, they ‘both refer to a plant in the legume category with the scientific name Cicer arietinum’. Crisps + Chips = Chrisps The British call them crisps, the American’s chips, together we get chrisps. While this mashup is not as drastic as the others, it’s important to highlight as chips in the UK refer to fries in America. See below. Chips + Fries = Frips. Coriander + Cilantro = Ciliander The British know this Mediterranean herb as coriander, but the Americans know it as cilantro, together we get ciliander. Cilantro is also the term used by the Spanish.  While generally both terms refer to the same food product, there is a difference. Cilantro and coriander refer to the same plant, however cilantro describes the leaves and stems and coriander describes the seeds after the plant has flowered. The seeds and leaves have specific roles in cooking as they give off different tastes. Cilantro is used when cooking Mexican dishes, in seasoned rice dishes, chillis and salsas. Coriander however is used in curries, soups and stews and is used as a flavouring for food. Of course, while these differences between the two terms are factual, when using the term coriander Brits often refer to the leaves. In the UK they may distinguish between seeds and leaves by saying fresh coriander and coriander seeds. Courgette + Zucchini = Courghini Courgette is the British term and Zucchini is the American translation, we mashed them up to give you Courghini. There are two key differences between the terms, the derivation of the name and the stage and size of the plant. Zucchini arose from the Italian word zucchino, meaning tiny squash or undeveloped marrow, whereas courgette arose from the French. While both terms refer the same vegetable however there are some key size differences. Zucchini can be harvested at an early age, usually when they reach approximately 14cm x 4cm, and vegetables around this size are normally called courgettes. Once the vegetable grows between 15cm and 20cm it is then classed as a zucchini. Aubergine + Eggplant = Eggbergine Aubergine and eggplant are exactly the same thing with the only difference being their translation. The English know the fruit as aubergine and Americans know it was an eggplant. Brinjal is also a name used in Asia. Fish Fingers + Fish Sticks = Fish Stingers Fish fingers to the British are known as fish sticks to the Americans. There are no key differences in appearance although the American versions are said to be slimmer in size. Gherkin + Pickle = Gherkickle Gherkin to the British, Pickle to the Americans, together we get Gherkickle. Gherkins are often described as a young cucumber however they are not actually a cucumber. They do belong to the same gourd family however. The term is derived from the Dutch word ‘gurkkiin’, and when they measure 1-3 inches they are pickled as soon as they reach that size. Pickles are a type of young cucumber that are also pickled, however the pickling process often takes hours compared to the days it takes for gherkins. Pickles tend to involve putting the cucumber in a can or jar of brine and vinegar. The nature of pickles and gherkins is different but also gherkins tend to be smaller and crunchier. Jam + Jelly = Jamly Jam to the Brits, Jelly to the Americans, together we get Jamly. Jelly in Britain however is Jell-O in American. Lolly + Popsicle = Lopsicle Ice lollies in Britain are more commonly known as popsicles in America, although popsicle is in fact a brand name. Ice pop is the correct name in America but people are more familiar with the term popsicles. Prawns + Shrimps = Primps Pawns in Britain, shrimps in America, mashed up we get primps. Is the only difference the translation however? Actually no. Both shrimps and prawns have ten legs and look similar, however they belong to different groups of crustaceans. Prawns have branching gills, where shrimp have lamellar gills. Prawns have claws on three pairs of legs while shrimp have claws on only two pairs of their legs. Prawns don’t have the same bend in their bodies that shrimp have either, and shrimps tend to be smaller in size also. Rocket + Arugula = Rockula The English refer to the green leaf as rocket, which is taken from the French ‘roquette’, and the American use the term arugula, which is taken from the Italian word. Sweets + Candy = Swandy Sweets to the British and Candy to Americans, mashed together we get Swandy.

We’ve put together an illustrated guide to place settings around the world. You will probably be more familiar with the traditional settings but as fast food culture expands its reach and people’s lives become busier, the modern settings we’ve created become more representative.

Traditional Place Settings

Below you will find the traditional cutlery set ups for different cultures around the globe.

China

The Chinese tend to use round tables with Lazy Susan turntables for larger groups of people as this enables easy sharing of dishes, although square and rectangle tables are used also for smaller groups. Table settings include chopsticks and a spoon for cutlery and a large plate, small bowl, empty rice bowl and a teacup for dining. The cutlery tends to be situated to the right of the plate. There is also a seating order when it comes to Chinese dining etiquette. The oldest person or the person with higher status faces the entrance and has the most central seat at the table. Guests higher up the hierarchy within the group sit closest to the person with the most status. The chair for those with the lowest social standing is situated nearest the kitchen entrance.

India

In Indian cultures it is common to eat with your fingers and traditionally food is eaten with the right hand. It’s viewed as unclean to use your left for dining. There are two dining setups traditionally; thali which is a round platter with multiple katori dishes on, and a large banana leaf. Both are used to serve diners a little bit of everything.

Japan

Japanese cutlery centres around chopsticks which sit directly in front of the diner. The style of their food settings is Ichiju-Sansai, which means one soup and three dishes – one of the dishes is usually rice. Traditionally table settings in Japan would require an individual wooden table for each person, although this is less common today and western style tables have been greatly adopted. Commonly on a table you will find chopsticks and a chopstick holder, soup bowl, rice bowl, a plate, a bowl and a small bowl.

British

Traditionally the British dining set up resembled that of the modern fine dining experience. Everything is based around utensils, a central plate and a smaller plate. You have several utensils for different courses, the smaller plate for bread, and a napkin to put on your lap while eating. Everything on the table tends to be lined up in order of use, with the outer cutlery being used first and you make your way inwards towards the plate as you go through servings.

Modern Place Settings

The above artwork is historically what you’d find in those cultures and it does remain the typical way for dining. However, modern dining is more likely to be based on convenience. Fast food restaurants are now readily available around the world and their impact has changed how cultures eat their meals. Traditional dining is now seen as a formality but day to day dining can resemble the following styles:

The Meal Deal

Eating at your desk or in the office is not uncommon and in the UK this typically involves drink, sandwich and either a packet of crisps or chocolate bar.

The TV Dinner

There is a decline in family meals sat around the table, and it is now common for families to eat in front of the television. While it is likely for children to eat their meals at the table still, parents are eating later after the children have gone to bed and they are combining parts of their day to save time. TV ‘microwave meals’ are a convenient food option for busy lives and with the meal already set out in a tray style that can be disposed of, they are taking over traditional place settings.

Takeaway

Similarly, to the TV dinner and meal deal, takeaway food is eaten from disposable items and there is little need for cutlery or traditional place settings. Simply eat from the containers and bin when done. While the modern dining illustrations centre on Western food types and meal choices, our research shows that other cultures around the world are now just as likely to sit in front of the TV with their dinner or eat on the go.