freedom fries
English
[edit]
Etymology
[edit]Originated at Cubbie's, a restaurant in Beaufort, North Carolina (owner Neal Rowland) in February 2003.
"It was never about politics," Rowland said of his initial decision to rename french fries "freedom fries." "It was about supporting our troops. Nothing has changed here. We still support our troops, and we still call them freedom fries."[1]
Pronunciation
[edit]Noun
[edit]freedom fries pl (plural only)
- (rare, US politics, sometimes humorous) French fries.
- 2003 March 22, Joseph Rosenbloom, quoting Patrice Higonnet, “Europeans in America: Freedom fries and raw nerves”, in International Herald Tribune:
- [Q.]“Freedom fries” is a symbol of anti-French feeling. Does that sort of thing gall you?
[A.]Higonnet: […] Again, one has to distinguish between the public situation, in which a sense of hostility to things French is quite severe, and the private situation inside the university world where, when people talk about freedom fries, it's a big joke.
- 2006, Andrew Rudalevige, The New Imperial Presidency[1], page 3:
- Upset by the failure of the French government to support the war, however, the chairman of the House Administration Committee announced on March 11 that he had ordered “French toast” and “French fries” stricken from the menu of the House cafeteria. In their place would be “freedom toast” and “freedom fries.”
- 2013 June 24, Dave Lieberman, quoting the menu of Bagel Me! restaurant, “Restaurant in Villa Park Still Sells “Freedom” Fries, But Doesn't Have a Problem with “French” Toast”, in OC Weekly[2]:
- French Toast Egg Bagels Served as French Toast
Freedom Fries
Irish Nachos Freedom Fries, Bacon Bits, Chedder[sic] & Jack Cheese
- 2021 September 17, Karen DeYoung, “France recalls its ambassadors to the United States and Australia over submarine dispute”, in Washington Post[3]:
- Republican House members then ordered that “French fries” on the menus of all congressional restaurants be renamed “Freedom fries.” In response, a French Embassy spokesperson noted that fries had originated in Belgium.
Usage notes
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The term was created as a replacement for the term 'French fries' in retaliation against France for their refusal to participate in the U.S.-initiated invasion of Iraq in 2003. The term was used in the cafeteria in the Capitol building from March 2003 to August 2006, and was widely reported upon in the media and referenced by comedians.
Coordinate terms
[edit]Related terms
[edit]Translations
[edit]french fries — see french fries