From French fries to Siamese cats, we have names for things that label them with nations that may or may not have any connection with the item at all. Have you ever wondered what is called “American” in the rest of the world? In parts of Eastern Europe, cole slaw is called “American salad.” The French term for brass knuckles translates to “American fist.” Mental_floss has a list of 13 such terms from around the world.
A Metafilter thread has many more, usually from personal experience, such as “Americano” coffee in Italy (since café means espresso there) and elsewhere, and a Belgian sandwich spread called “American Prepare,” which consists of “a foul blend of sardines, tabasco, and raw ground beef because everything is terrible and man was born to sorrow.”
Reading the ingredients of what is called “khao pad American” in Thailand will make you weep for our global reputation.
(Image credit: Adriaanolivier)
It’s a spicy, savory, Korean-American fusion dish made from an umami-rich broth, Korean hot pepper paste, flakes, kimchi, and American Spam, beans, and sausage.
. . .
This dish was invented after the Korean war (1950-1953) when the American army was stationed in the city of Uijeongbu, near Seoul. They had their own food on the base, things like canned beans, meat, Spam, ham, and sausages. This food was totally new to Koreans.