Tate Duane, an American living in Melbourne, has embarked on a culinary journey in Australia, discovering and questioning some unique food terms in a viral TikTok video.
Tate, bewildered by Australian food language, highlighted four terms that left her perplexed. First on her list was the term “jacket potato,” equivalent to “baked potato” in American English. Tate playfully questioned the concept of a potato wearing a jacket, asserting it’s simply a baked potato.
Moving on, Tate addressed the herb cilantro, known as coriander in Australia. Passionately defending the American term, she emphasized that cilantro is cilantro, regardless of differing opinions on its taste. The confusion continued with the term “capsicums,” used in Australia for bell peppers. Tate humorously expressed her bewilderment, wondering where the term “capsicum” originated and feeling uncertain about ordering it on a menu.
The pinnacle of Tate’s culinary adventure was the discovery of “honey chicken” in Australia, which she equates to American “orange chicken.” Expressing her desire for orange chicken, she amusingly recounted her confusion when her Australian boyfriend ordered honey chicken, leading to the revelation of their linguistic difference.
The TikTok video garnered over 343,000 views, with many Australians engaging in the conversation, sharing their own insights, and expressing surprise at the distinctions between American and Australian food terminology. The lighthearted exchange showcased the cultural diversity and linguistic quirks that make global interactions, especially in the realm of food, both amusing and fascinating.