# Regional Food Names **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 30, 2012, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-food-names/642597 "2012-11-30T18:46:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-food-names/642597/41 "2012-12-02T02:15:42Z")
In Boston, a milkshake is called a frappe and a shopping cart is called a carriage. I still don’t know what the hell “jimmies” are. ---
**Author:** ![Motorgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Motorgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Motorgirl)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-food-names/642597/42 "2012-12-02T02:32:27Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > In Boston, a milkshake is called a frappe and a shopping cart is called a carriage. I still don’t know what the hell “jimmies” are. Nope - a milkshake is called a milkshake. A frappe is that thing with ice cream in it that the rest of your people inexplicably call a milkshake. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-food-names/642597/43 "2012-12-02T03:33:48Z")
“jimmies” are “sprinkles”. (the ice cream topping) “jimmies” primarily is for chocolate sprinkles. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-food-names/642597/44 "2012-12-02T03:38:14Z")
My father, a Bostonian, referred to candy sprinkles as jimmies. In San Diego, every mom-and-pop Mexican restaurant refers to corn tortillas with shredded beef, which are rolled up and fried, as “rolled tacos”. Everywhere else i’ve ever been, they’re called taquitos or flautas. Up here, in the northwest, steak fries are referred to as “jo-jos” and special sauce on a hamburger is called “goop” (and usually consists of mustard mixed with tartar sauce at most local burger places). ---
**Author:** ![GameHat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed655f/32.png) [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-food-names/642597/45 "2012-12-02T08:02:54Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Spice rubbed roast beef, usually top round or top sirloin, thinly sliced against the grain, dunked in a flavorful jus with Italian seasonings, served on a particular kind of bread roll, somewhat similar to a sub loaf. It is often served with roasted sweet peppers and/or giardiniera, a spicy blend of vegetables and peppers in vinegar and olive oil. The sandwich is often ordered “dipped” or “wet” in which it is quickly plunged in the jus. Yep. Worthy of Websters. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Becky2844](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Becky2844](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Becky2844)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-food-names/642597/46 "2012-12-02T08:23:33Z")
> [@GameHat](#): > > Yep. Worthy of Websters. 😃 This is the first time I’ve ever read about a food here on the Dope that _I want to eat._ NOW. ---
**Author:** ![Glazer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a88e57/32.png) [@Glazer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glazer)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-food-names/642597/47 "2012-12-02T08:49:14Z")
I always thought that a gyro was sliced meat while a doner kebab was cubed. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-food-names/642597/48 "2012-12-02T10:24:49Z")
**GreedySmurf** had this recent relevant thread: [It’s Peanut Paste not Peanut Butter](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=673042) > [@](#): > > Turns out I’m not crazy!! Yay me! > > Peanut Paste is (was) a real term, but is a regional expression limited primarily to the Australian states of Queensland and Western Australia. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-food-names/642597/49 "2012-12-02T13:35:55Z")
> [@tim-n-va](#): > > Hot dish vs. Casserole? > > Sub vs. grinder vs. hoagie? I’ve never had a sub or a grinder that belongs in the same universe as a genuine Philadelphia hoagie. (Although one of the best ever was in Princeton, NJ.) There are many names for what I call string beans. Is SOS (shit on a shingle) universal? ---
**Author:** ![midnight-dreary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@midnight-dreary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/midnight-dreary)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-food-names/642597/50 "2012-12-02T14:32:09Z")
In Australia: The words chips mean fries AND crisps. Cilantro is called coriander. A chicken pattie on a bun is a ‘chicken burger’ not ‘chicken sandwich’ Mcdonalds is frequently called ‘Maccas’ Burger King is called Hungry Jacks We have lollies, not candy Cotton candy is called fairy floss Rockmelon is what we call cantaloupe ---
**Author:** ![notsoheavyd3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/85e7bf/32.png) [@notsoheavyd3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notsoheavyd3)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-food-names/642597/51 "2012-12-02T15:31:52Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > Moving from Ohio to NYC, I had to learn to call them “heroes.” Then re-locating back to Ohio, I had to re-learn “subs.” But not as difficult as learning, then unlearning “merry/marry/Mary.” > > And how about soda/pop/soft drink/coke? It’s tonic. 🙂 (But apparently if you ask for tonic anywhere except here instead of coke or pepsi you’ll get some nasty bitter stuff.) Hey here’s one, I’ve heard the rest of the country has no idea what fluff is, let alone what a flutternutter sandwich is. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-food-names/642597/52 "2012-12-02T15:37:57Z")
> [@Glazer](#): > > I always thought that a gyro was sliced meat while a doner kebab was cubed. Nope. A **doner** is cooked on a rotating spit, just like gyros, and thinly sliced off it in the same manner. Also see tacos al pastor for the Mexican version (via Middle Eastern immigrants) of a similar food. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-food-names/642597/53 "2012-12-02T15:43:54Z")
> [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](#): > > I was taught by a Lebanese friend of mine that “Shish” was the style of cooking, and “Kebab” was the meat. If you made it with chicken, it would be Shish Tawook. > > I’m sure someone can comment here..am I remembering this correctly? > > -D/a [Wikipedia has a good run-down.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kebab) “Kebab” just means “roast meat” (which is usually lamb.) “Shish” refers to the skewer. “Doner” means “rotating” (just like “gyros” does. ETA2: or “turning.” “Shawarma” has a similar meaning.) ETA: which brings to another interesting regional variation. In Montreal, a shish taouk is a chicken doner/shwarma, and not a skewered chicken shish kebab (which is what it usually is.) ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-food-names/642597/54 "2012-12-02T16:03:21Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > I’ve never had a sub or a grinder that belongs in the same universe as a genuine Philadelphia hoagie. (Although one of the best ever was in Princeton, NJ.) Hoagie Haven? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-food-names/642597/55 "2012-12-02T17:07:21Z")
In New York City, if you ask for your coffee “regular” it means you want it with milk and sugar. I was reminded of this last week in the Miami airport, when the woman in front of me in line at La Carrita asked for a “regular coffee” and was confused when the Latina counterperson handed her a black one. I asked her if she was from New York and when she confirmed it I explained that regular coffee means something different elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-food-names/642597/56 "2012-12-02T17:11:21Z")
[Chili size](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=12217753) Nearly 80% of respondents did not know what they are. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-food-names/642597/57 "2012-12-02T17:16:57Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > [Chili size](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=12217753) > > Nearly 80% of respondents did not know what they are. But that’s what I’m wondering about. Are we just asking for regional dishes or regional names for dishes that are common all over? Because if it’s the former, I can add plenty of regional names that almost nobody would recognize and even a lot of people in Chicago (depending on what neighborhood you live in) might not know. For example: the mother-in-law, the humdinger, the big baby, the combo, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-food-names/642597/58 "2012-12-02T17:20:27Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > But that’s what I’m wondering about. Are we just asking for regional dishes or regional names for dishes that are common all over? I think that an open-face burger covered in chili and cheese is on most menus across the country that serve that type of food. Only, outside of Southern California it’s been called something else. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-food-names/642597/59 "2012-12-02T19:21:58Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I think that an open-face burger covered in chili and cheese is on most menus across the country that serve that type of food. Only, outside of Southern California it’s been called something else. Never heard of it, myself. (Well, I’ve heard of a “chili size” because of that old thread, but I’ve never seen it in the Midwest, and I do go to greasy spoon diners.) Wonder what the local name is. I’ve seen hot open faced hamburger/roast beef/turkey & gravy sandwiches, but never a hamburger with chili and cheese open face sandwich. Is it really that common? ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2012, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-food-names/642597/60 "2012-12-02T19:31:03Z")
> [@notsoheavyd3](#): > > It’s tonic. 🙂 (But apparently if you ask for tonic anywhere except here instead of coke or pepsi you’ll get some nasty bitter stuff.) > > Hey here’s one, I’ve heard the rest of the country has no idea what fluff is, let alone what a flutternutter sandwich is. Fluff is marshmallow spread (Invented in MA). A Fluffernutter is Peanut Butter and Fluff sandwich. (These are New England neologisms) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-food-names/642597.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regional-food-names/642597.md?page=4)