Translating Paleo Cooking Terms

The first time I went to America, I was confused. The restaurant menus all had pages of entrée’s, but no main courses. Fortunately before too long, I realised entrée is American for main course, not a starter course, as I am used to the word. I was also excited to try a new herb I had read about in lots of cooking blogs, cilantro – before I found out it is just another was of describing coriander.

As a Brit, living in Australia, reading lots of American Paleo Diet blogs and books, I've noticed a lot of cooking and food terms with completely different names. Australian terms seem to be mainly British, but often American – and sometimes different again. The list below shows the most common terms on which our terms differ, not all Paleo related, but hopefully useful all the same:

AmericanBritish EnglishAustralian
AppetizerStarterStarter
EntréeMain CourseMain Course
DessertPudding/ Sweet/ AftersDessert
BroilerGrillGrill
GrillingBarbecuingBarbecuing
CannedTinnedTinned
EggplantAubergineEggplant
ZucchiniCourgetteZucchini
ArgulaRocketRocket
RutbagaSwede/ TurnipSwede
Bell PepperPepperCapsicum
CilantroCorianderCoriander
Ground MinceMinced MeatMinced Meat
Pork RindsPork ScratchingsCrackling
JelloJellyJam
FriesChipsHot Chips
ChipsCrispsChips
Parchment PaperGreaseproof PaperGreaseproof Paper
StoveHobHob
Crock PotSlow CookerSlow Cooker
Plastic WrapClingfilmGladwrap
CandySweetsLollies
Licquor StoreOff LicenceBottle Shop (AKA Bottlo!)
PopsicleIce LollyIce Lolly

Of course, in addition to the different terms, American recipes use imperial measurements (pounds, ounces, tablespoons and Fahrenheit), Australian recipes are metric (grams, millilitres and centigrade) and British recipes never quite seem to be able to decide if they should embrace the metric system, or stick to the traditional imperial measurements.

I'm sure there are many more, so please share the terms that have confused you, or that you have recently discovered, in the comments below. And if you’re in New Zealand – which versions of the terms do you use, mainly Australian, or a completely different term?

Translating Paleo Cooking Terms-min

3 replies
  1. David Wright
    David Wright says:

    I have to correct you on a couple of things.
    Jello in the USA is Jelly here. Jelly in the USA is jam here.
    An appetizer in the USA is usually called an entree or starter here.
    Aussies are pretty clued-in and would understand most of these terms. I lived in Canada for 6 months this year and had trouble with ‘broil’ and ‘cilantro’ and even at the end of my time I could not get used to the whole appetizer/entree thing.
    Thanks for clearing up what a rutabaga is!

  2. Renee
    Renee says:

    A couple more corrections….

    Stove in the USA is also Stove in Australia
    Popsicle in the USA is usually an icey-pole in Australia

Comments are closed.