What do the French Call Fried Potato Sticks Known as French Fries in the US?

Often referred to as French fries in the United States, fried potato sticks have a unique etymology in French. The term used is straightforward – des frites – meaning pommes frites, where pommes means potatoes and frites means fried.

Historical Context and Naming

It's worth noting that the term "French" in "French fries" does not refer to the French claiming ownership of the dish. Instead, it comes from the English-speaking world, which named the potato sticks after their uniform, thin cut, akin to the thin cuts of French cuisine.

Interestingly, the introduction of the potato to France in 1771, championed by Nicolas Appert (often credited as "Parmentier" in some contexts), played a significant role in French culinary history. During a period of growing famine, these cut potatoes, fried to perfection, became a staple food, symbolizing hope and salvation. This culinary innovation helped to alleviate the food crisis during times of scarcity.

Common French Names

When it comes to calling fried potato sticks in French, there are several variations that native speakers use:

Les frites – simply meaning fried. This is the most common colloquial term. Les pommes de terre frites – fried earth apples, which is the full and literal translation. Les patates frites – which is the term for fried potatoes. While this is an accurate translation, it is less commonly used in everyday conversation. Les pommes frites – exists but is less common these days and is more associated with regional dialects.

It's important to note that while les frites is the most widely used term, les pommes frites and les patates frites are still recognized and understood.

Comparison with Other Languages

While the French call them pommes frites, other languages have adapted or reinterpreted the term in interesting ways:

Balkan languages use terms like Pomfrit, which is a direct adaptation of the French name. English-speaking regions prefer simple terms like chips, with potato chips used sparingly. However, in the US, these sticks are specifically called French fries, although this is actually a misnomer given the origin of the term. French itself also uses the term pommes frites (lit. fried potatoes) and patates frites (same meaning) interchangeably, with chips being a rare alternative.

These variations reflect the diverse and evolving nature of language, with many culinary terms gaining unique identities in different cultural contexts.

Conclusion

Understanding how the French refer to fried potato sticks helps us appreciate the rich history and culture behind a universally beloved food item. From the adaptation of terms in regional dialects to the linguistic quirks in different countries, the story of fried potato sticks is a fascinating journey through the intersection of culture and cuisine.