# Does pie and chips mean something different to Brits? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 24, 2006, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pie-and-chips-mean-something-different-to-brits/345940 "2006-02-24T17:45:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2006, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pie-and-chips-mean-something-different-to-brits/345940/21 "2006-02-24T19:12:46Z")
Mmm, pie and chips. Years ago, I did my drinking at a nearby British-style pub owned by two expats from the UK. She ran the bar; he cooked. Various pies (and naturally, chips) were menu staples, and he made them all by hand. They were good–his Steak in Guinness pie was the best I’ve ever had, but his others, such as shepherd’s pie and steak and mushroom, for those of us who balked at kidneys, were great also. That was my introduction to the world of pie and chips, and I have enjoyed it many times since. Sometimes, my wife will even whip it up for the two of us, and she does a pretty good job. British cuisine, as a whole, may get a bad rep, but it should not come from pie and chips, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2006, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pie-and-chips-mean-something-different-to-brits/345940/22 "2006-02-24T19:52:00Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > In fact, now I think about it, I guess the UK/US perception of what Weebl is saying must be rather different: > > “When come back bring pie” > UK: When [you] come back, bring [a] [probably savoury] pie. > US: When [you] come back, bring [collectively sweet dessert] pie. > Different altogether, though the first definition is clearly what was meant. > > Wanker not so clearly! it works fine for us 'Merikens because the speech pattern is consistant with the character. Besides - bringing pie to a (potluck dinner) (family get together) (holiday party) is very typical so there, ya limey bastitch! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2006, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pie-and-chips-mean-something-different-to-brits/345940/23 "2006-02-24T19:57:04Z")
Ah Mr/Ms Septic, it does indeed work fine for you, but that is purely serendipitous. This usage of “pie” is never employed over here, and I doubt Jonti had ever heard it. Check out the illustrations of the pies in the cartoons: they are pastry-based products, and look just like the savoury ones we eat as mentioned in the OP. ---
**Author:** ![homeskillet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7ba0ec/32.png) [@homeskillet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/homeskillet)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2006, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pie-and-chips-mean-something-different-to-brits/345940/24 "2006-02-24T20:08:19Z")
This reminds me of an old episode of _Dr. Katz_ where this guy was complaining about regional dialects. “My roommate in college was from Brooklyn and the first day there, he asked me if I wanted to go halfsies on a pie! What the hell kind of question is that? I thought to myself, ‘this guy must _really_ like pie’. I didn’t realize he meant a pizza pie, so we ended up getting half pepperoni, half pumpkin.” ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2006, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pie-and-chips-mean-something-different-to-brits/345940/25 "2006-02-24T21:57:20Z")
> [@pravnik](#): > > Offhand, I’d wager it has kidneys in it. Gold. ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2006, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pie-and-chips-mean-something-different-to-brits/345940/26 "2006-02-25T01:22:28Z")
My British MIL makes great fish pie. Every American I have mentioned it to looks slightly nauseated at the thought. ---
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2006, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pie-and-chips-mean-something-different-to-brits/345940/27 "2006-02-25T01:34:02Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > Check out the illustrations of the pies in the cartoons: they are pastry-based products, and look just like the savoury ones we eat as mentioned in the OP. :dubious: So, what d’you think encases fruit pies? Unless, like English puddings, English pies are more, um, solid? The pastry thicker? ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2006, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pie-and-chips-mean-something-different-to-brits/345940/28 "2006-02-25T01:39:08Z")
Mmm, pie. Not only does “pie” conjure the image of a savoury food, but the only “sweet” pies I know are apple and pecan. We don’t seem to have the great proliferation of pies that you Americans have over there. Brynda - fish pie as in the fish-chunk-and-mash style with a cheese sauce? Mm. Have to agree with the Americans on Steak and Kidney, though. Ick. But a lovely chicken and mushroom with chips, all smothered in gravy…_drools_ ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2006, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pie-and-chips-mean-something-different-to-brits/345940/29 "2006-02-25T01:42:44Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > Check out the illustrations of the pies in the cartoons: they are pastry-based products, and look just like the savoury ones we eat as mentioned in the OP. So are the ones in the US! What the hell do you think we’re talking about? If it’s not pastry-based, it’s not a pie!\* 😕 \*Unless we’re talking Boston creme pie-which is a layer cake. ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2006, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pie-and-chips-mean-something-different-to-brits/345940/30 "2006-02-25T01:46:31Z")
> [@Maureen](#): > > :dubious: > > So, what d’you think encases fruit pies? Unless, like English puddings, English pies are more, um, solid? The pastry thicker? Fruit pies are made with Shortcrust pastry. Savoury pies (over here, anyway) are Watercrust pastry. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2006, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pie-and-chips-mean-something-different-to-brits/345940/31 "2006-02-25T02:47:45Z")
> [@Revenant Threshold](#): > > Fruit pies are made with Shortcrust pastry. Savoury pies (over here, anyway) are Watercrust pastry. What’s the difference? Damn, you guys don’t have a lot of dessert pies? Let’s see, we have: **Fruit** : Cherry Apple Peach Strawberry Strawberry Rhubarb Blueberry Pumpkin Then there’s banana cream pie, cocoanut cream pie, chocolate pie, pecan, cheesecake pie, vanilla cream pie, etc. God, I can’t even think of all the different types of dessert pies we have. Oh, and another “savory” pie I like: cheeseburger. So good and trash-tastic! ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Bruin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Queen\_Bruin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Bruin)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2006, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pie-and-chips-mean-something-different-to-brits/345940/32 "2006-02-25T03:34:10Z")
Emeril makes a steak and “kidney” pie, only he uses shiitake mushrooms in place of kidneys for us squeamish Merkins. Looked damn good to me. And I gots a shepherd’s pie in the oven now! ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2006, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pie-and-chips-mean-something-different-to-brits/345940/33 "2006-02-25T03:45:20Z")
> [@The Sausage Creature](#): > > Emeril makes a steak and “kidney” pie, only he uses shiitake mushrooms in place of kidneys for us squeamish Merkins. Looked damn good to me. I think I’d rather have the kidney. ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2006, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pie-and-chips-mean-something-different-to-brits/345940/34 "2006-02-25T04:03:53Z")
With his accent, it’s practically “poi and chips.” I don’t know if that would taste good. ---
**Author:** ![thirdwarning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecccb3/32.png) [@thirdwarning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdwarning)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2006, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pie-and-chips-mean-something-different-to-brits/345940/35 "2006-02-25T05:47:33Z")
Okay, hijack here, but didn’t that little lizard fella used to have a more upper crust accent? I was quite surprised to hear him sounding so australian. (sort of, anyway) ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2006, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pie-and-chips-mean-something-different-to-brits/345940/36 "2006-02-25T06:13:23Z")
> [@thirdwarning](#): > > Okay, hijack here, but didn’t that little lizard fella used to have a more upper crust accent? I was quite surprised to hear him sounding so australian. (sort of, anyway) **originally** originally he was voiced by Kelsey Grammer, then some other actor who, yes, sounded cultured, at least. Currently, to me, the little gekko sounds Cockney ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2006, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pie-and-chips-mean-something-different-to-brits/345940/37 "2006-02-25T06:20:35Z")
There is an award winning pie shop near me that sells 43 different varieties of pies. It’s pot luck what is available when you arrive. Apart from all the varieties of fruit pies they make savoury pies like - Steak, onion and tomato Steak, bacon and cheese Curried chicken Chili beef Thai chicken Tandoori lamb Potato. leek and green vegetables with cheese Chicken and mushroom Beef and mushroom and heaps more. ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2006, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pie-and-chips-mean-something-different-to-brits/345940/38 "2006-02-25T06:22:54Z")
mmm - a tandoori lamb pie? do they freeze and ship? ---
**Author:** ![Amaranta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Amaranta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amaranta)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2006, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pie-and-chips-mean-something-different-to-brits/345940/39 "2006-02-25T06:29:58Z")
As this thread has gone madly off track anyway, let me say that Shepard’s Pie with mashed yams or sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes is ab-fab. That is all. ---
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2006, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pie-and-chips-mean-something-different-to-brits/345940/40 "2006-02-25T06:35:15Z")
> [@Snooooopy](#): > > With his accent, it’s practically “poi and chips.” > > I don’t know if that would taste good. Ew. No. Nothing goes with poi. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pie-and-chips-mean-something-different-to-brits/345940.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pie-and-chips-mean-something-different-to-brits/345940.md?page=3)