# What is a salad? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [June 19, 2026, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-salad/1031018 "2026-06-19T11:37:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-salad/1031018/81 "2026-06-23T03:30:51Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Yup, yup, yup, I was pretty sure I remembered a reference to a cheese salad on Fawlty Towers, and I did. > > Two recipes I found: > > [Fawlty Towers Cheese Salad](https://www.food.com/recipe/fawlty-towers-cheese-salad-28139) There are at least four different salads involved in various Fawlty Towers episodes. The cheese salad comes from the demand by the picky Mr Hutchinson when informed that the peas in his omelet order would be frozen, not fresh. He gets his cheese salad but with one thing and another, Basil ends up pushing him face-first into it. There’s a cold meat salad, ordered by a gentleman who has to deal with Manuel’s incompetence in a futile effort to get one. There’s the famous Waldorf salad episode, wherein Basil, left without his chef, has no idea how to make it for the demanding American Mr Hamilton. And a basic green salad, ordered by Mr Hamilton’s wife. A true Fawlty Towers aficionado would have to make all four! And also a grapefruit with a cherry in the middle! 😁 ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-salad/1031018/82 "2026-06-23T03:35:51Z")
Just make sure you have lots of Salad Cream on hand to satisfy picky eaters! [![](https://tse3.mm.bing.net/th/id/OIP.F71fShZjhtx1R734HP-AzgHaKe?rs=1&pid=ImgDetMain&o=7&rm=3) ](https://tse3.mm.bing.net/th/id/OIP.F71fShZjhtx1R734HP-AzgHaKe?rs=1&pid=ImgDetMain&o=7&rm=3) ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-salad/1031018/83 "2026-06-23T03:44:36Z")
**Fun Fact:** “Mr Hamilton” was played by Bruce Boa, a Canadian who made a 40-year career out of depicting hard-nosed Americans in British cinema and television. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-salad/1031018/84 "2026-06-23T03:46:34Z")
What is salad cream? And do I need it? How many carbs, added sugars? ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-salad/1031018/85 "2026-06-23T03:47:14Z")
“Well, there’s the bread, and there’s the mayonnaise.” “I said **salad cream** , stupid!” > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > What is salad cream? I’ve never had it. I understand it to be some sort of British culinary abomination, like “Toad in the Hole”. > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > And do I need it? No. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-salad/1031018/86 "2026-06-23T03:53:56Z")
Think “Miracle Whip,” a similar substitute for mayonnaise. Not bad, but nothing to cheer about either. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-salad/1031018/87 "2026-06-23T03:59:43Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I understand it to be some sort of British culinary abomination, like “Toad in the Hole”. Bangers baked in Yorkshire pudding and served with savory onion gravy are an “abomination”?!? A pox on you, sir, for disparaging a superb British culinary delight! 😠 ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-salad/1031018/88 "2026-06-23T04:02:33Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > **Fun Fact:** “Mr Hamilton” was played by Bruce Boa, a Canadian who made a 40-year career out of depicting hard-nosed Americans in British cinema and television. I didn’t know that. He does a good job of it! > Can’t you see what a crummy dump this is? I wouldn’t board my dog here! > > Fussy, is he? Poodle? > [@terentii](#): > > Bangers baked in Yorkshire pudding and served with savory onion gravy are an “abomination”?!? > > A pox on you, sir, for disparaging a superb British culinary delight! 😠 My apologies, my good man. I just thought the name was funny. Let’s strike that and substitute “jellied eels”! ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-salad/1031018/89 "2026-06-23T04:05:57Z")
If I ever make it back to the UK, I’ll have to try jellied eels. I was once served eel as a main course in Czechoslovakia and didn’t care for it at all. 🤢 ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-salad/1031018/90 "2026-06-23T04:10:52Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I just thought the name was funny. You were probably thinking about Crunchy Frog instead. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-salad/1031018/91 "2026-06-23T04:11:26Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > There’s the famous Waldorf salad episode That was the first thing I thought of. And John Cleese screaming at his car. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-salad/1031018/92 "2026-06-23T04:15:02Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > And John Cleese screaming at his car. That was “Gourmet Night.” [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/yUfulQs_Tq0/maxresdefault.jpg "Fawlty Towers 1975 S01 E05 Gourmet Night") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUfulQs_Tq0) ---
**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:** [June 23, 2026, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-salad/1031018/93 "2026-06-23T04:22:40Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I’ve never had it. > [@terentii](#): > > Think “Miracle Whip,” a similar substitute for mayonnaise. Not bad, but nothing to cheer about either. I’ve had Salad Cream. I agree with @terentii that it is like Miracle Whip: sweet, but much thinner than Miracle Whip. Not too far off Kraft cole slaw dressing, as I recall. Suitable for veggies and dip, or you could dress a salad with it. I rather like it. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-salad/1031018/94 "2026-06-23T05:36:25Z")
Hmm. I like the whip. I’m alone in this house on that. I’d probably like salad cream. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-salad/1031018/95 "2026-06-23T12:04:54Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I like the whip. Mmmmm, kink-y! 😏 Might I interest you in some Spotted Dick as well? 😉 [![](https://www.instacart.com/image-server/699x699/filters:fill(FFF,true):format(webp)/www.instacart.com/assets/domains/product-image/file/large_14df4bb2-d983-49f1-bd91-048d9f929b83.jpg) ](https://www.instacart.com/image-server/699x699/filters:fill(FFF,true):format(webp)/www.instacart.com/assets/domains/product-image/file/large_14df4bb2-d983-49f1-bd91-048d9f929b83.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-salad/1031018/96 "2026-06-23T15:12:36Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > You got me! Though that was long ago when it was freshly made at home. These days potato salad is always cold. In any case, it just shows that the concept of “salad” is often a matter of tradition and individual semantics. I call it “potato salad” because that’s its name, but to me it’s not really a salad, just a kind of tasty starch comparable to mashed potatoes, only cold and crunchy. You got me. To me, potato salad is the one we had for dinner last night. Small, waxy Charlotte potatoes, boiled and cut into two or four pieces, then covered with mayonnaise or (in our case) salad cream. Where does the “crunch” come from? ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-salad/1031018/97 "2026-06-23T15:15:47Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > Where does the “crunch” come from? When the potatoes are properly cold, there should be a crunch to them. Not a huge one but a bit of one. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-salad/1031018/98 "2026-06-23T15:27:35Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > > [@bob\_2](#): > > > > Where does the “crunch” come from? > > When the potatoes are properly cold, there should be a crunch to them. Not a huge one but a bit of one.   Sometime the potatoes are firm, but usually actual crunch comes from including things like raw green onions and/or finely chopped celery in the potato salad. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-salad/1031018/99 "2026-06-23T16:00:56Z")
Eeeek 😱 Spots may indicate a problem. There’s a cream for that. (Salad cream, perhaps?) ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-salad/1031018/100 "2026-06-23T16:09:02Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Spots may indicate a problem. It does, a serious problem. **Raisins.** 🤮 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-salad/1031018.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-salad/1031018.md?page=6)