Beware: South African English phrases that might confuse you while dining in the US
Did you know that what we refer to as ‘jelly’ is called ‘jello’ in America, and what they call ‘jelly’ is what we know as ‘jam’? Here are some additional examples.
Traveling in America and want to order a burger and chips? They might not understand what you mean by “chips,” since they call them “fries.” Here are some intriguing examples of different words used for the same items abroad.
Ordering take-aways or is it take-outs?
In SA English ‘take-aways’ refers to food that you order and take away from an outlet to eat at home. Americans call these ‘take-outs’. Canadians also use the word ‘take-out’.
A dessert made of frozen sweetened water with (usually fruit) flavouring is what South Africans would call ‘sorbet’ while Americans call it ‘sherbet’. Sherbet for South Africans is a sweet powder that children enjoy, often with a lollipop that they dip into it.
Chips is another complicated matter.
In South Africa, we have ‘slap chips’ for referring to hot chips and ‘chips’ usually refers to a packet of potato chips, i.e. crisps. Although any restaurant or fast food outlet will know you are referring to hot chips if you order a burger and chips. This is ‘fries’ in America. In the UK, for example, you will get hot chips when ordering a burger or fish and chips, however, it is best to use ‘crisps’ when referring to a packet of thinly-sliced potato chips in the UK.
The difference between baby marrows, courgettes, and zucchinis
What is the difference between baby marrows, courgettes, and zucchinis? Nothing. They all mean the same thing. Based on which country you are in, the word used will differ. People in the UK generally use the word ‘courgette’, a French word, to refer to this vegetable, while Americans generally prefer to use the Italian word ‘zucchini’. South Africans keep it simple by saying ‘baby marrow’.
Tea time treats in America
A ‘biscuit’ in America will not work out great with tea. ‘Biscuit’ in America is a savoury dish that people make from soft dough and serve with gravy. What you would rather want with your tea is a cookie when you are in America.
In South Africa, people generally use ‘biscuits’ and ‘cookies’ interchangeably. The Afrikaans ‘koekie’ is also an accepted SA English word, according to the Dictionary of South African English.
Want some jam with your toast or scone? If you are in America, they will probably bring you jelly as that is what fruit preserve is called there, whereas ‘jelly’ is a wobbly dessert usually served with custard in South Africa. The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines it as ‘a cold sweet transparent food, made from gelatine, sugar, and fruit juice, that shakes when it is moved’. In America people call this ‘jello’.