# Two questions about the British name "chips"... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 17, 2015, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-about-the-british-name-chips/715183 "2015-03-17T09:13:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-about-the-british-name-chips/715183/41 "2015-03-19T10:43:28Z")
The UK’s a modern country, we can get peanut butter with or without lumps, I’ll have you know! From comparison to import US peanut butter, UK stuff isn’t as sweet in general, but I prefer it savoury, and tend to stick to the varieties I like, so maybe that’s just a biased sample. Chip butties can be served with ketchup, brown sauce (HP or similar, known by this appetising name) or possibly barbecue sauce or mayo. Fry sauce isn’t really a thing here. The bread is usually buttered, and vinegar may be added to the chips, though this is not universal. ---
**Author:** ![Ken001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/43a26b/32.png) [@Ken001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ken001)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-about-the-british-name-chips/715183/42 "2015-03-19T10:55:33Z")
Which reminds me of poor student days when were happy with a fried slice of bread - with tomato sauce (ketchup) of course. Yum. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-about-the-british-name-chips/715183/43 "2015-03-19T12:17:17Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > Jeeze, a french fry sandwich sounds pretty bland. How are they typically condimented? [Have you ever had the fry-lover’s burger at Rally’s or Checkers? It’s pretty good.](http://cdn.foodbeast.com.s3.amazonaws.com/content/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/fry-lovers-checkers-rallys-burger.jpg) ---
**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:** [March 19, 2015, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-about-the-british-name-chips/715183/44 "2015-03-19T12:28:40Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > [Have you ever had the fry-lover’s burger at Rally’s or Checkers? It’s pretty good.](http://cdn.foodbeast.com.s3.amazonaws.com/content/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/fry-lovers-checkers-rallys-burger.jpg) Yeah, but that is an actual hamburger with all sorts of stuff on it, like meat, cheese, pickles, etc. A chip buttie is just chips on bread. [Like here.](http://cmsfish.co.uk) ---
**Author:** ![theR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@theR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/theR)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-about-the-british-name-chips/715183/45 "2015-03-19T12:46:19Z")
> [@Ken001](#): > > Didn’t know that. > > In NZ potato chips come in at least 5 distinct forms as evidenced at my local supermarket, not a mile from this very door. > > 1. Crisps, but often just referred to as chips. > > 2. Chips - straight standard model, about as fat and long as a forefinger. > > 3. Crinkle-cut chips - as above but zig-zag sides. Cook slightly faster and were regarded as fancy when I were a lad. Larger surface area means they hold more fat/oil + salt = tastier. > > 4. Wedges usually with skin on to hold the shape. Very popular in bars and restaurants with sour cream and chilli sauce. > > 5. Shoestring chips - nice enough, not common really, only McDonalds and KFC serve them. Or buy a bag of frozen. > > Here’s a manufacturer’s site: [Wattie's – Packaged Food | Kraft Heinz](http://www.watties.co.nz/Our-Products/Frozen-Foods/Frozen-Potatoes) We have all those in the USA, too. Most people just don’t bother distinguishing when they’re talking about them, but certainly restaurants or the frozen packages will distinguish if they’re not the most common kind. Here is how yours translate in the USA: 1. Chips of course 2. Fries, or sometimes steak fries (steak fries are usually much wider and a bit thicker than common American fries) 3. Crinkle cut fries 4. It sounds like you’re describing potato skins with toppings, but it could also be steak fries. Skins are partially hollowed potato pieces (like halves or quarters) with skin that are then topped with all sorts of things. 5. Fries 6. Waffle fries (e.g., the kind Chick Fil-A serves) 7. Curly fries (e.g. from Arby’s) Tator tots are also very popular in the USA (at least in my house), but aren’t truly fries. They’re more like shaped hash browns. ---
**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:** [March 19, 2015, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-about-the-british-name-chips/715183/46 "2015-03-19T13:21:02Z")
> [@theR](#): > > 1. It sounds like you’re describing potato skins with toppings, but it could also be steak fries. Skins are partially hollowed potato pieces (like halves or quarters) with skin that are then topped with all sorts of things. #4 sounds to me like what I would call potato wedges. [Like here](https://www.google.com/search?q=potato+wedges&espv=2&biw=1866&bih=1056&site=webhp&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=D80KVeKtO-vLsATSkoG4BA&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&dpr=0.9). ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-about-the-british-name-chips/715183/47 "2015-03-19T14:08:30Z")
Also in the U.S… If someone said “shoestring fries,” we wouldn’t expect to see McDonald’s-style fries. Those are just fries—thin cut, but still within the just plain old fries category. If I heard something described as shoestring fries, I would expect them not only to be very thin, but also curled, that is, not generally straight, like McDonald’s fries. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-about-the-british-name-chips/715183/48 "2015-03-19T14:14:58Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Also in the U.S… If someone said “shoestring fries,” we wouldn’t expect to see McDonald’s-style fries. Those are just fries—thin cut, but still within the just plain old fries category. > > If I heard something described as shoestring fries, I would expect them not only to be very thin, but also curled, that is, not generally straight, like McDonald’s fries. No, those are shoestring fries, thin cut, that’s all it means. ---
**Author:** ![chaika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chaika/32/405_2.png) [@chaika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaika)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-about-the-british-name-chips/715183/49 "2015-03-19T14:17:31Z")
Sorry, duplicate. ---
**Author:** ![chaika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chaika/32/405_2.png) [@chaika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaika)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-about-the-british-name-chips/715183/50 "2015-03-19T14:20:40Z")
> [@Smid](#): > > I can’t say because I don’t like the stuff, but isn’t what the brits call peanut butter quite different from what the US call peanut butter? The US version being a lot sweeter? Does the US version have lumps in it (I think the uk one does)? It’s possible to buy peanut butter with sugar added in both the US and the UK. I tried the sweet version a couple of times many years ago but didn’t care for it so I wouldn’t buy it now. But obviously some people do like that kind of PB on both sides of the Atlantic. And you can have smooth or chunky versions of PB in both countries. ---
**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:** [March 19, 2015, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-about-the-british-name-chips/715183/51 "2015-03-19T14:53:44Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > No, those are shoestring fries, thin cut, that’s all it means. Yes, I would call McDonald’s fries “shoestring fries,” as well, if the designation were necessary. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-about-the-british-name-chips/715183/52 "2015-03-19T14:59:18Z")
No, to me, shoestring fries are bendable and not stick-shaped., and often served in a tangled mound — like these — [![](https://www.thecookierookie.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/fries2-1024x768.jpg) ](https://www.thecookierookie.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/fries2-1024x768.jpg) I would never call firm, straight fries shoestring fries. ---
**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:** [March 19, 2015, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-about-the-british-name-chips/715183/53 "2015-03-19T15:02:09Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > No, to me, shoestring fries are bendable and not stick-shaped., and often served in a tangled mound — like these — > > [http://www.thecookierookie.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/fries2-1024x768.jpg](http://www.thecookierookie.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/fries2-1024x768.jpg) > > I would never call firm, straight fries shoestring fries. That’s fine, but to me and many other Americans, “shoestring fries” is just thin cut fries. Like [see upper left here.](http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/French_fries/Gallery) Yours can also be called that, or petite-cut fries or potato shoestrings, ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-about-the-british-name-chips/715183/54 "2015-03-19T16:51:59Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > That’s fine, but to me and many other Americans, “shoestring fries” is just thin cut fries. Like [see upper left here.](http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/French_fries/Gallery) Yours can also be called that, or petite-cut fries or potato shoestrings, To me McD’s arent quite thin enough to be shoestring fries. Close, but no. ---
**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:** [March 19, 2015, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-about-the-british-name-chips/715183/55 "2015-03-19T16:56:24Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > To me McD’s arent quite thin enough to be shoestring fries. Close, but no. :shrug: They are known as such among many folks, in my experience. Just google “shoestring fries” and look at the images. There may (most likely are) regional differences. I am familiar with the longer type that is pretty much just as thin. Look at the photo [here](http://www.gastronami.com/?p=2357), for example, for what a diner in Sag Harbor, NY, calls “shoestring fries.” Those look like McDonald’s-sized fries to me. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-about-the-british-name-chips/715183/56 "2015-03-19T17:56:53Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > To me McD’s arent quite thin enough to be shoestring fries. Close, but no. McDonalds uses 3/16" fries I think, they don’t get much smaller than that. ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-about-the-british-name-chips/715183/57 "2015-03-19T18:30:30Z")
Here is my official unofficial size chart for the four basic fries size… 😛 [Shoestring Fries](https://www.google.com/search?q=shoestring+fries&biw=1455&bih=731&tbm=isch&imgil=mGLwyJ09nXJp5M%253A%253BGwJ7zsbOrX8KfM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.thecookierookie.com%25252Fshoestring-potatoes-a-giveaway%25252F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=mGLwyJ09nXJp5M%253A%252CGwJ7zsbOrX8KfM%252C_&usg=__936cPR0GE7BTuQm1fMYZrgDSMSA%3D&ved=0CDQQyjc&ei=bBQLVZ3AAc7-sATl5oCwCA#imgrc=mGLwyJ09nXJp5M%253A%3BGwJ7zsbOrX8KfM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.thecookierookie.com%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2014%252F03%252Ffries2-1024x768.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.thecookierookie.com%252Fshoestring-potatoes-a-giveaway%252F%3B1024%3B768) [Boardwalk (regular) fries](https://www.google.com/search?q=thrashers+fries&biw=1455&bih=731&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=phQLVYOSHoH7sATi6YKoDQ&sqi=2&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg#imgdii=_&imgrc=B7103zTWxRKDpM%253A%3B77x3MmZ0Bf76BM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fthrashersfries.com%252Fimages%252Ffries.png%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fthrashersfries.com%252F%3B262%3B262) [English fish & chips](https://www.google.com/search?q=english+fish+%26+chips&biw=1455&bih=731&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=BxULVd_DEYmrggToxoCICw&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ#imgdii=_&imgrc=EIUQQfWCI6HX5M%253A%3B1zI-oErtoWEDHM%3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fmariahjuneofficial.files.wordpress.com%252F2012%252F12%252Ffish-and-chips-adventure-7.jpg%253Fw%253D1200%3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fmariahjuneofficial.wordpress.com%252F2012%252F12%252F22%252Fmy-fish-and-chips-adventure%252Ffish-and-chips-adventure-7%252F%3B1200%3B795) [Steak Fries](https://www.google.com/search?q=steak+fries&biw=1455&bih=731&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=ORULVe2aHo3asASwt4CYAw&sqi=2&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ#imgdii=_&imgrc=zUx9fHUBWlGeYM%253A%3BWsLCA945e088tM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Ffoodnetwork.sndimg.com%252Fcontent%252Fdam%252Fimages%252Ffood%252Ffullset%252F2003%252F10%252F16%252F0%252Ftm1b68_oven_steak_fries.jpg.rend.sni12col.landscape.jpeg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.foodnetwork.com%252Frecipes%252Frachael-ray%252Foven-steak-fries-recipe.html%3B405%3B305) ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-about-the-british-name-chips/715183/58 "2015-03-19T23:40:13Z")
I’m hungry. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2015, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-about-the-british-name-chips/715183/59 "2015-03-19T23:44:53Z")
When we make fish & chips, I use waffle fries. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2015, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-about-the-british-name-chips/715183/60 "2015-03-20T02:53:19Z")
I would not call what McD’s serves “shoestring” under any circumstances. Shoestring fries are even thinner, you could easily get a couple, maybe more, of them out of a single McD fry. And what KFC serves, not even close. Those are potato wedges (that’s even what they call them), they must serve something else entirely in foreignville, because you’d have to be blind to call those things shoestring. [http://images.fatsecret.com/food/ec8a4e02-fb93-4afc-9575-b9ef01aab460.jpg](http://images.fatsecret.com/food/ec8a4e02-fb93-4afc-9575-b9ef01aab460.jpg) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-about-the-british-name-chips/715183.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-questions-about-the-british-name-chips/715183.md?page=4)