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Monday, August 1, 2011

Pardon My French

French fries, French toast and French kisses all started somewhere OTHER than France. Pourquoi?

Even though the French are considered quite romantic – the British get credit for coining the phrase French kiss – and it wasn’t so romantic. During World War I – British soldiers labeled their French allies as promiscuous and the French kiss was a derogatory phrase referring to their perceived lack of fighting passion.

Americans get the credit for french fries. The word french is used as a verb here – and refers the lengthwise strips the potatoes are cut into. To french – also describes a frying technique.

We have a New Yorker to thank for French toast. Joseph French, a tavern owner outside of Albany, concocted the breakfast favorite and added it to his menu in 1724 – and named it for himself. That’s why French toast is often capitalized.

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