French Fries - Name Origins

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This name first appeared in English in 1856. It was a recipe-book called "Cookery for Maids For All Work." Later on, in the beginning of the 20th century, "French frying" was an equivalent of "deep frying." Some claim that the whole idea and recipe originated in the 17th century Belgium. Others say that the term achieved its "French" term form the Americans that entered Belgium back during World War I. They associated fries with the Belgian Army, whose official language was French. Ambiguous as it is, it doesn't matter today where the name came from, but it is quite a culinary discovery, as French fries accompany almost any meal nowadays in pubs and bars.