The menus in the US have an unusually large focus on entrées. It was annoying when all we wanted was a main, and we weren’t interested in entrées.
The supermarkets often devote a rather big section just to entrées. Larger than I would have thought was necessary.
That’s a shitload of entrées.
I didn’t get it.
What’s with the big entrée love, America?
I mean, they’re a nice way to start the meal sometimes, but come on.
Embarrassingly, it took a few months before I worked it out. Months before a distant memory of a being told about a difference in terminology by someone years ago came to the surface of my brain, which prompted me to go looking for the answer.
Entrée does not mean the same thing here as it does in Australia.
American entrée is Australian main, Australian entrée is American Appetizer, and….ah fuck it. Here’s an infographic instead:
It turns out that most countries apart from the US and parts of Canada use the french meaning of the word, referring to the dish served before the main course. I’m not certain how it came to be used as a term for the main course in the US (I suspect they did it to confuse foreign visitors for shits and giggles), but it took me a while to catch on.
There I was thinking Americans just love appetizers way too much.
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LOL It’s because we’re uncivilized Americans, and we butchered the English language.
You guys butchered it to confuse the rest of us for fun, didn’t you?!
Absolutely! We’re giant assholes.
We have no idea what we’re saying most of the time, English or no.
I don’t believe that. I think you’re messing with the rest of the world!
I’ll take 2 apps over an entree any day, any meal 🙂 for the meal.
They are often better!
We Americans are opposed to using silly French terms. That’s why instead of entrees we begin our meals with hors d’oeuvres.
😀
I did NOT know this!! Thanks for my newest trivia tidbit!
Chelsea
Chow Down USA
Instagram
Pffft, I don’t believe you! All Americans are in on it, to confuse poor foreign visitors! 😉
I’m American, so I was really confused at the beginning of this post. Well, I learned something I never knew before! “Entree” means “Appetizer” in Australia. I live in Malaysia and here, “Appetizer” just means “Appetizer.” It’s all food, so it’s all good in my book!
It was a bit embarrassing to only work it out after living here for months 😀
Lol such an interesting read! Thanks for sharing xo, sharon
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It was a tad confusing for a while 😉
I’m not going to lie to you: we have disgustingly large appetizer portions, too. It’s the American way. And I, for one, ain’t mad. Give me ALL the buffalo wings 😉
Nah, for real, that’s a super interesting difference. I never would have thought about it.
You’re my fave! Mwah!
At least you always have a box to take the rest home in!
This is so funny!! I was always super confused on why entrees where so big and it also took me forever to understand that Entrees are not the same thing as in the rest of the world. I felt the same way as you! Oh, America… they surprise with something randomly illogical everyday.
Glad it wasn’t just us!
ironically, I found that English people like their starters more than americans! Growing up, I never had appetizers so I think its crazy!
I find it just ruins my main meal.