French fry ban targets wrong country (no, it doesn't)

Yahoo News ^ | March 12 2003 | Reuters

[knighthawk]

PARIS (Reuters) - The U.S. Congress picked on the wrong country when it replaced "French fries" with "Freedom fries" on its menus to protest France's opposition to a possible U.S.-led war in Iraq, according to a Belgian fry expert.

Michel Mes, who runs the website www.belgianfries.com, said that fried potatoes were invented in Belgium, not France, and were only referred to as French fries in the United States.

"Of course, in good food tradition, the French claim to be the inventors of our beloved fries," he writes on the website. "Anyway, we modest Belgians don't mind the French claim, because we know that fries are God's gift to our people."

Restaurants in the U.S. House of Representatives replaced the name "French fries" with "Freedom fries" on Tuesday in a small ceremony widely broadcast with bemused commentaries on French television.

The fast food staple -- known simply as chips in Britain -- is considered a national treasure in Belgium, where "pommes frites" are sold on many street corners in shacks known as "fritures" and are generally served with mayonnaise.

Historians are divided on its origin but agree it became a popular dish in both Belgium and France during the 19th century.

According to legend, American soldiers stationed in French-speaking Belgium or France during World War One brought back a taste for fries, which were subsequently associated with Gallic culture in the United States. Mes said this was a myth.

"In fact, the explanation is quite simple. In English, 'to french' means (or at least meant) 'to cut into lengthwise pieces'," he explained. "So logically, French fries is short for 'frenched and fried' potatoes."

Such distinctions may not matter much to members of the U.S. Congress, which has taken no such symbolic step against Belgium.

Belgium has stood up against the United States on several occasions during the crisis over Iraq, joining France and Germany last month in briefly blocking a request to NATO to protect Turkey in the event of war in Iraq.

[Alex Murphy]

In light of Belgium's recent conduct, I think its only fair that we continue to call Brussels sprouts, Brussels sprouts.

Oh, absolutely. I consider them conclusive proof of the existence of Satan.

[Tiemieshooz]

"France has neither winter nor summer nor morals. Apart from these drawbacks, it is a fine country. France has usually been governed by prostitutes."
----Mark Twain

"I would rather have a German division in front of me than a French one behind me."
--- General George S. Patton

"Going to war without France is like going deer hunting without your accordion."
--Norman Schwartzkopf

"We can stand here like the French, or we can do something about it."
---- Marge Simpson

"As far as I'm concerned, war always means failure"
---Jacques Chirac, President of France

"As far as France is concerned, you're right."
---Rush Limbaugh,

"The only time France wants us to go to war is when the German Army is sitting in Paris sipping coffee."
--- Regis Philbin

"The French are a smallish, monkey-looking bunch and not dressed any better, on average, than the citizens of Baltimore. True, you can sit outside in Paris and drink little cups of coffee, but why this is more stylish than sitting inside and drinking large glasses of whiskey I don't know."
--- P.J O'Rourke (1989)

"You know, the French remind me a little bit of an aging actress of the 1940s who was still trying to dine out on her looks but doesn't have the face for it."
---John McCain, U.S. Senator from Arizona

"You know why the French don't want to bomb Saddam Hussein? Because he hates America, he loves mistresses and wears a beret. He is French,people."
--Conan O'Brien

I don't know why people are surprised that France won't help us get Saddam out of Iraq. After all, France wouldn't help us get the Germans out of France!"
---Jay Leno

"The last time the French asked for 'more proof' it came marching into Paris under a German flag."
--David Letterman

How many Frenchmen does it take to change a light bulb? One. He holds the bulb and all of Europe is expected to revolve around him.

[Kay Soze]

I heard on NPR that in fact France should be cerdited.

Ben Franklin brought the concept back to the States after his stint as our First ambassador to the frogs.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

"I call 'em FRENCH fries." - Alan Colmes, Mar. 11, Hannity & Colmes. (^;

[mass55th]

Are French Fries really from France? I was under the impression that they weren't. Doesn't the French part of the term allude to the type of cut of the potatoes, ie., French Cut (like French Cut green beans)?

[opinionator]

They are called chips, and they are served with malt vinegar.

[McGavin999]

So what do we call Belgian Waffles or Brussels Sprouts now?

Pressed Pancakes and Baby Cabbage?

[lodwick]

JHC - mayo?

[bluefish]

Ever tried a little sumpin called "Freedom Kissing?"

[knighthawk]

I am no expert on 'friet' (that's what it's called in the Netherlands), but the article says:

"Historians are divided on its origin but agree it became a popular dish in both Belgium and France during the 19th century. "

[knighthawk]

The best one is the one from Letterman.

[JudgemAll]

As a show of support I've given up French kissing for the duration. I know it's a sacrifice, but I'm willing to do my part.

That is not the point. You can call it the Freedom kiss.