Food Faux Pas: Surprising Misnomers in Culinary World
German Chocolate Cake... isn't German! It's named after an American named Samuel German who developed a type of dark baking chocolate for Baker's Chocolate Company in 1852.
Buffalo Wings... aren't made from buffaloes! They originated at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York, in 1964 and are made from chicken wings.
English Muffins... aren't from England! They were actually created in the United States by an Englishman named Samuel Bath Thomas in the late 1800s.
Hawaiian Pizza... isn't from Hawaii! It was invented in Canada by Greek immigrant Sam Panopoulos in the 1960s.
Fortune Cookies... aren't Chinese! They were invented in California, USA, and are rarely found in China.
Swiss Cheese... isn't always Swiss! While Switzerland is famous for its cheese, the term "Swiss cheese" is often used generically for any cheese with holes, regardless of its origin.
Turkey... isn't from Turkey! The bird was introduced to Europe from North America, and early European settlers thought it was related to the guinea fowl, which was imported to Europe through Turkey, hence the name.
Chile con carne... isn't from Chile! This spicy stew originated in Texas, USA, and "chile" refers to the spicy peppers used in the dish, not the country.
Bombay Duck... isn't a duck! It's a type of fish found in the waters around India, and the name is derived from an anglicization of the Marathi word "bombil."
Jerusalem Artichokes... aren't from Jerusalem! They are actually native to North America and were cultivated by Native American tribes long before European settlers arrived.
Welsh Rarebit... isn't rabbit! It's a savory sauce made with cheese, mustard, and ale, typically served over toast, and has nothing to do with rabbits.
Danish Pastries... aren't Danish! They originated in Austria and were brought to Denmark by Austrian bakers in the 19th century.
Indian French Toast... isn't French! This dish, also known as Bombay Toast or Bombay Bread, is a popular street food in India made with bread soaked in eggs and spices, then fried.
Russian Salad... isn't Russian! This salad, also known as Olivier Salad, was invented by a Belgian chef, Lucien Olivier, in the 1860s in Moscow.
Swiss Roll... isn't Swiss! It's believed to have originated in Central Europe, possibly Austria or Switzerland, but its exact origins are uncertain.
American Chop Suey... isn't Chinese! It's a pasta dish made with ground beef, macaroni, and tomato sauce, and it originated in the United States, particularly in New England.
Greek Yogurt... isn't always Greek! While Greek yogurt is strained to remove whey, creating its thick texture, similar strained yogurts are also made in other countries such as Turkey (known as "strained yogurt" or "Turkish yogurt").
Scotch Eggs... aren't Scottish! They were invented by the London department store Fortnum & Mason in the early 18th century.
Caesar Salad... isn't named after Julius Caesar! It's named after Caesar Cardini, an Italian-American chef who invented the salad in Tijuana, Mexico, in the 1920s.
French Toast... isn't French! It dates back to ancient Roman times and was called "pain perdu" or "lost bread" because it was a way to use up stale bread by soaking it in a mixture of eggs and milk before frying.
Boston Cream Pie... isn't a pie! It's a cake with layers of sponge cake filled with custard or cream and topped with chocolate glaze, originating in Boston, Massachusetts.
Swedish Fish... aren't Swedish! They were actually created by a Swedish candy company but were first imported to the United States in the late 1950s.
German Potato Salad... isn't always German! There are many variations of potato salad in Germany, but the version with a vinegar-based dressing is commonly associated with the southern United States.
Mexican Jumping Beans... aren't beans! They are actually seed pods inhabited by the larvae of a small moth native to Mexico. The "jumping" motion is caused by the larvae's movement inside the pod.
French Onion Soup... isn't always French! The origins of this soup can be traced back to Ancient Rome, but the modern version is associated with France, particularly Paris.
Canadian Bacon... isn't bacon as Americans know it! In Canada, it's simply called "back bacon" or "peameal bacon" and is made from lean pork loin.
Swiss Steak... isn't Swiss! This dish originated in the United States and involves braising beef steak, often with tomatoes, onions, and other vegetables.
Chinese Checkers... isn't Chinese! It was invented in Germany in the late 19th century and was originally called "Stern-Halma."
Russian Tea... isn't Russian! This spiced tea blend is popular in the southern United States and typically contains black tea, orange zest, and spices like cinnamon and cloves.
Belgian Waffles... aren't just Belgian! There are two main types of Belgian waffles: Brussels waffles, which are lighter and crispier, and Liege waffles, which are denser and sweeter.
French Dip Sandwich... isn't French! It originated in Los Angeles, California, in the early 20th century, and typically consists of roast beef on a French roll served with au jus for dipping.
Irish Coffee... isn't just Irish! While it was popularized in Ireland, the concept of adding whiskey to coffee likely originated in the United States or France.
Canadian Whiskey... isn't always Canadian! While most Canadian whiskey is indeed produced in Canada, there are no regulations requiring it to be made exclusively in Canada, so some brands may be produced elsewhere.
Mexican Corn... isn't always Mexican! "Mexican corn" typically refers to corn on the cob topped with mayonnaise, cheese, chili powder, and lime juice, but similar dishes are popular throughout Central and South America.
French Press... isn't French! The first patent for a coffee press was filed by an Italian designer in 1929, and the modern design we know today was patented by a Swiss inventor in 1958.
Mexican Hat Dance... isn't Mexican! The dance originated in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, but its origins are likely a fusion of indigenous and European influences.
Hawaiian Punch... isn't from Hawaii! It was created in California in the 1930s and was originally sold as a syrup to be mixed with water.
Greek Salad... isn't always Greek! While it's commonly associated with Greek cuisine, similar salads can be found throughout the Mediterranean region.
English Breakfast Tea... isn't always English! While it's a staple of British tea culture, similar blends are also popular in other countries, such as Ireland and India.
Belgian Chocolate... isn't always Belgian! While Belgium is famous for its chocolate, the term "Belgian chocolate" is often used to describe high-quality chocolate made in a similar style, regardless of its origin.
Swedish Meatballs... aren't always Swedish! While they are a staple in Swedish cuisine, similar meatball recipes can be found in many other countries' cuisines as well.
