• Delphia@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    3
    ·
    1 year ago

    As an Australian I can comment on this, theres this wonderful thing called “Context”

    At McDonalds they refer to them as fries, but if you ask for a large chips, they know what you mean. If you go into a petrol station and ask where the crisps are, nobodies head explodes. If you go into a place that has ALL 3 (french fries, chips and crisps) and say “Can I get some chips” the person will ask for clarificaton.

    British roots and American television has made OUR english quite flexible.

      • Delphia@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        1 year ago

        French fries and chips

        As a rule most people I know think of french fries or fries as thin cut and chips as thick cut. Most restaraunts only do one or the other. If you ask for steak and chips and they do fries, they will either clarify for you (more likely) or just bring you fries.

      • psud@aussie.zone
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        edit-2
        1 year ago

        Not many places offer both, but “a packet of barbeque chips” vs “$5 worth of chips” or “small chips” are were distinct

        In the imaginary situation where there are all three (why not more!)

        • chips (thick hot chips)
        • fries (thin hot chips)
        • packet of chips (crisps)