Why Chips Aren’t Crisps (and Fries Aren’t Chips) British Quirks 20/30

Alright besties, settle in—because today we’re tackling one of the great cultural divides: chips vs crisps. Honestly, it’s enough to make you question reality (or at least stare blankly at a menu for way too long).

So here’s the deal. In Britain, when we say “chips”, we mean those glorious chunky wedges of potato heaven you get with your Friday night fish. Golden on the outside, soft and fluffy in the middle, drowned in vinegar if you’re me. Proper comfort food.

But—and here’s where it gets messy—if you’re American, “chips” means those thin, crunchy slices you eat straight from the bag. What we in the UK call crisps. So if you’re visiting London and you ask for “chips” with your sandwich, don’t be surprised if you’re handed a plate of thick, steaming fries instead of a packet of Walkers.

And it goes the other way too. Ask for “crisps” in the US and you’ll get funny looks, like you’ve just invented a new word. Over there, it’s potato chips. Simple.

Then you’ve got fries, just to complicate things further. In Britain, fries are the skinny cousins of chips—the McDonald’s variety, basically. Not quite the same as our thick-cut seaside chips, but they’ll do in a pinch.

So here’s your cheat sheet:

• UK “chips” = US “fries.”

• UK “crisps” = US “chips.”

• Everyone everywhere agrees potatoes are life.

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Moral of the story? Always double-check before you order abroad, or you might end up dunking your crisps in ketchup like some kind of culinary outlaw.