Many north Americans have asked, "Why can't I find "French Fries" and "French Toast" in Paris?"

What they don't realise is that these items were not named by the French :-)

That's right, the names were created outside of France, and the French won't necessarily know what you're looking for if you ask for these.

FRENCH FRIES are called FRITES in French - and pronounced as "freet".

Frites are often served with mayonnaise - and don't criticise it until you've tried it - I grew to love them served this way, and luckily I did a LOT of walking when I lived in Paris so the frites didn't end up on my hips :D

You will often see a Menu item called "Steak Frites" which simply means "steak and chips".

The French name for French Toast (bread dipped in egg batter and fried) is "pain perdu" (lost bread), but I'm not sure of the originis of the name.

You may be able to find something similar in American-style cafés. In Australia we only know about French Fries and French Toast by watching American & Canadian TV shows and movies. We call French Fries 'hot chips'.

So you may start to understand that every country has its own terminology for different foodstuffs - and when we travel we desperately need to try new taste sensations, don't we? After all, if you're only going to eat at McDonalds' fast food outlets in Paris, why would you bother going? There are sooo many French and other ethnic delicacies to try!

Let me know what you tried and what you liked, I'd love to hear about your adventures! (Click the Add A Comment link below)

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• Do people really ask that?

  
  Michelle - http://abfabdesigns.com - January 20, 2010, 8:04 pm
  Do people really ask about French Fries and French Toast in Paris?
  
  

  Answer to: "Do people really ask about French Fries and French Toast in Paris?"

  
  
  Yes, it is true :D -- many foreigners simply assume so much when the use the word 'French' in their everyday speaking. If you investigate before you go to a country, you will find out all kinds of wild and wonderful things about the language and culture.
  
  Thanks for writing Michelle! Enjoy my website!
  
  Cheers
  Teena Hughes

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• Great pommes frites (French fries/hot chips) in Paris!

  
  http://twitter.com/DrBuzziBoomBatz - http://twitter.com/DrBuzziBoomBatz - March 7, 2010, 7:31 pm
  The pommes frites @ a tiny hidden-away Tea Room off rue Tronchet! OMG, but bring yer own ketchup!!
  
  

  From Teena: Thanks for the tip!

  
  
  
  I'll see if I can find this tea room on a map!

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• French name for French Toast

  
  http://twitter.com/altranslations - http://twitter.com/altranslations - March 7, 2010, 7:35 pm
  The French name for French Toast is: pain perdu! (literally means 'lost bread'.
  
  

  Teena says: Thanks so much for letting me know!

  
  
  This is something I've never looked for in Paris, but I bet there are plenty of North Americans who might have :-)
  
  I hope this helps!

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