House cafeterias change names for 'french fries' and 'french toast'?!

[the new JR Jansen]

Originally posted by Horatio: You have GOT to be kidding [img]graemlins/biglaugh.gif[/img] Some people, it seems, can go lower than Rock Bottom on the stupidity scale

Don't say that. I said the same on the war forum and got a whole lot of manure, for a lack of a better word, dropped over me from angry US-citizens because i was calling them stupid.

[Ar-Cunin]

Originally posted by the new JR Jansen: Quote: Originally posted by Horatio: You have GOT to be kidding [img]graemlins/biglaugh.gif[/img] Some people, it seems, can go lower than Rock Bottom on the stupidity scale

Don't say that. I said the same on the war forum and got a whole lot of manure, for a lack of a better word, dropped over me from angry US-citizens because i was calling them stupid.[/QUOTE]OK - not stupid then. How about somewhere between absurd and ridiculous [img]graemlins/rollsay.gif[/img]

[Kakero]

Originally posted by johnny: We can do without ballet, i'm sure of that.

* Tries to imagine Johnny doing ballet *

uhh...err..yes Johnny. you are certainly correct. We can certainly do without ballet. [img]tongue.gif[/img] j/k

[Arvon]

Originally posted by Gil-Galad: In England we call it chips and toast and find these two delicacies extremely english. So why have you guys for some reason over the last 400 years suddenly decided that it was french?? I think I´ll start a foundation for keeping the chips and toast british, anobody care to join?

Now I'm curious...The potato,as we know it is an Aztec food first discovered in the Andes a few 100 years ago. How could the Brits have had fries/chips for 400 years? I thought that fries were done up by some cook on the East coast. I know the potato chip is realitivy new.

[Masklinn]

A little Potato lesson !

Spain

After its original introduction into Spain by returning conquistadors, the potato spread slowly across Europe. At first the plant was treated with distrust and fear, or grown only as a novelty. Fear of the potato lasted for centuries, as some people believed that it was unholy or unchristian, dirty, primitive, or unhealthy. However, others began to recognize the potato as a medicinal plant and its popularity soared when it was heralded as a powerful aphrodisiac. Herbalists claimed that the potato could cure ills ranging from diarrhea to tuberculosis. The Spanish were the first Europeans to appreciate the potato as a delicacy.

Germany & Prussia

Slowly, the potato was accepted across Europe as monarchs and influential people recognized its value. In the 1740's, Frederick the Great, King of Prussia, and King William of Germany began campaigns to introduce potatoes to their empires. King William distributed potatoes throughout Germany with instructions describing how to properly cultivate them. Through these monarchs' support, the potato became a valuable staple crop in eastern Europe.


France

The French were originally suspicious of potatoes. Potatoes gained acceptance in the 18th century through the work of Antoine August Parmentier. Parmentier, a pharmacist, was imprisoned during the Seven Years War (1756-1763) in a German jail. Parmentier gave credit to the potatoes fed to him in jail for his survival. When he was released, Parmentier worked to promote the vegetable in his homeland. He managed to convince King Louis XVI of France to support the potato and thereby began the popular spread of potatoes in France. He also invited esteemed gentlemen, such as Benjamin Franklin, to his home to sample potato dishes in an attempt to quell the fears of his fellow Frenchmen. Parmentier was one of the most effective promoters of the potato in Europe.

England

In England, after its early introduction by John Hawkins in 1563, the potato took a long time to take hold. After a reintroduction by Drake, its popularity increased, but would not flourish for many years.

Ireland

The potato has played an important role in Irish history but it was not until 1663 that the potato was established as a field crop. In Ireland, the potato found a perfect growing climate and the Irish people quickly embraced the crop as the common daily food. The potato so popular that it was soon established as a national food and the name "Irish Potatoes" was given to them to distinguish them from sweet potatoes.

[Masklinn]

And now a French Fries lesson !
Why do they have this particular name ?

From http://www.stim.com/Stim-x/9.2/fries/fries-09.2.html

[...]It was not long after this widespread embracing of the potato that some genius decided to drop slices of it into a pot of boiling fat. The identity of this individual is unknown; the French claim it was one of their countrymen, while the Belgians fiercely hold that it was one of their own who first frenched a fry. Expert opinion on this matter is divided as well. Whatever the case, by the 1830's deep fried potatoes had become a popular taste sensation in both France and Belgium. It took another hundred years for them to become a fast-food staple in the United States. Although Thomas Jefferson is rumored to have served them in Monticello as early as 1802—a daring thing to do at the time, since tubers were still believed to lead to death unless the poisons were boiled out of them—it was American soldiers, having been stationed in France (or Belgium, depending on who you ask) during World War I who brought back a hunger for the fried potatoes they had eaten while overseas. Although today fries are commonly eaten in many other countries, they are only associated with the Gallic culture here in the U.S.

French fries were born to be fast food. Deep frying foods in large vats of (expensive) fat is a smelly and messy task that was impossible for most people to carry out in their humble kitchens. At the beginning of their popularity, one's only chance to obtain the delectable treat was at a restaurant, whose cooking facilities were better equipped to handle such a procedure, or from street vendors in Paris and Brussels. (The first place in Paris to do this was by the bridge Pont Neuf, and thick-cut fries in France are still known as pommes de terre Pont Neuf). To this day, in Belgium, where pomme frites are considered a national treasure, they are still prepared from fresh potatoes and sold on the streets from numerous french-fry shacks, known as a fritures or frietkoets.
[...]

[Nachtrafe]

Originally posted by Masklinn: A little Potato lesson ! **SNIP

Awesome! [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img] Thanks bunches for the potato lesson Masklinn.

BTW Ar-Cunin...JR is right. There is absolutely *NOTHING* 'stupid' about people engaging in a protest in whatever (non-violent) means that they want. Saying so is insulting, rude, and unnecessary. One of the wonders of a free society is that people are free to disagree(Yes, even the French). But that rule has to hold true for EVERYONE!!! Have your opinion, but dont be insulting about it, K?

For my own opinion, I figure, people are entitled to protest something in most any (non-violent) way that they want. If they want to start giving the first name of 'Freedom' to their lunch side-dish or their breakfast food, more power to them. What really frosts *MY* cookies is, some A$$HOLE in Congress just spent *MY* money to pass a freakin bill about it! That is the 'stupid' part!

For me, while I am in absolute, 110% TOTAL DISagreement with the French Govt, and their self serving position on Iraq, I have no intention of rushing out and ordering a big plate of Freedom fries just to protest. LOLOL...Besides, most people I know just ask for 'fries' anyway...we Americans are lazy with our language.

[Attalus]

LOL, in the AOL Poll this morning, 43% said they would order "Freedom Fries," 29% French Fries, 28% said "none for me."

[Nachtrafe]

Originally posted by Attalus: LOL, in the AOL Poll this morning, 43% said they would order "Freedom Fries," 29% French Fries, 28% said "none for me."

LOLOL...I dont care what they're called...just get em to me hot, salty, and NOW!! [img]graemlins/biglaugh.gif[/img]

[Rokenn]

Originally posted by Nachtrafe: For my own opinion, I figure, people are entitled to protest something in most any (non-violent) way that they want. If they want to start giving the first name of 'Freedom' to their lunch side-dish or their breakfast food, more power to them. What really frosts *MY* cookies is, some A$$HOLE in Congress just spent *MY* money to pass a freakin bill about it! That is the 'stupid' part!

I agree completely. Though I do reserve the right to point out they are acting like petulant children [img]smile.gif[/img]