What Did You Buy Today?

[extropic]

Understood, "On the wonk" = Fried potatoes.

Funny story (to me anyway): In 1980 I spent 6 months on a foreign assignment based in Bristol, England.
It's interesting how much we come to miss our favorite foods.
I had already been there long enough to be sensitized to familiar words having unfamiliar meanings.
I found a little eatery that blatantly advertised to Americans, offering hamburgers and 31 flavors of ice cream (really).
Hopeful, I entered and was ordering a burger when the fellow asked "Do you want chili?"
"You have chili?" I replied with cautious anticipation. He said "Yes." and I asked "Can I see some?"
it looked like a combination of 50% pickle relish and 50% catsup.
"No thank you".

 

[ChazzC]

It's interesting how much we come to miss our favorite foods.

In my youth (late teens - early 20’s) I experienced this along with most my shipmates: powdered eggs & “sterilized” milk (which I know realize was probably shelf-stable) were two signs that we had been out of port too long (even on a Carrier); ice cream was the first sign that we had hit port. When I travelled internationally, my more mature palate looked forward to new flavors.

Hopeful, I entered and was ordering a burger when the fellow asked "Do you want chili?"
"You have chili?" I replied with cautious anticipation. He said "Yes." and I asked "Can I see some?"
it looked like a combination of 50% pickle relish and 50% catsup.

Growing up we had Hot Dog Relish (mustard & pickle relish) and Hamburger Relish (catsup/ketchup & pickle relish), both of which are still sold by Heinz (who has a larger line of branded products in the UK that in the U.S.).

If you don’t like “Chili,” don’t order a lemonade (you’ll get what tastes like Sprite mixed with lemonade).

 

[NegativeK]

it looked like a combination of 50% pickle relish and 50% catsup.

If there's ever been a stereotype of American food...

That's not what I'd feed anyone to represent what we have, but it doesn't surprise me. ;D

 

[ChazzC]

That's pretty, I do like that, very much, even with that Starrett label looking like it's on the wonk (@RaisedByWolves, I know, I know, but honestly mate, I think you can work out that particular British-ism!), I assume it's down to the angle of the picture.

The flat metal plaque is located on a compound curved surface, and with my one hand it is somewhat difficult to get a good angle (that can’t be fixed “in post” as they say).

 

[woodchucker]

If you don’t like “Chili,” don’t order a lemonade (you’ll get what tastes like Sprite mixed with lemonade).

Chili ,how does that equate to sprite and lemonade? Chili is tomato and beans and peppers

 

[ChazzC]

Chili ,how does that equate to sprite and lemonade? Chili is tomato and beans and peppers

Just trying to give another example of something that we think we know what it is. Like “chips” vs. “crisps,” or bacon.

You understand that you don’t know what to expect Bangers & Mash or a Scotch (oddly not Scottish) Egg will be, whereas you feel safe ordering something with a name you know (unless it’s pizza and you’re visiting Chicago).

 

[woodchucker]

Just trying to give another example of something that we think we know what it is. Like “chips” vs. “crisps,” or bacon.

You understand that you don’t know what to expect Bangers & Mash or a Scotch (oddly not Scottish) Egg will be, whereas you feel safe ordering something with a name you know (unless it’s pizza and you’re visiting Chicago).

ok, still on the British to American english... I saw your statement and was confused.

 

[ChazzC]

ok, still on the British to American english... I saw your statement and was confused.

I do that to a lot of people, it’s part of my charm

 

[extropic]

Growing up we had Hot Dog Relish (mustard & pickle relish) and Hamburger Relish (catsup/ketchup & pickle relish), both of which are still sold by Heinz (who has a larger line of branded products in the UK that in the U.S.).

I decline pickles (except Dills at a nice Deli or maybe sweet gherkins). I blame this prejudice on a job I had in HS, working at a "family" type restaurant. There was a 30ish gallon, wooden barrel in the walk in. The barrel was coverless and it seemed truly degusting to me. No thank you.

 

[extropic]

If there's ever been a stereotype of American food...

That's not what I'd feed anyone to represent what we have, but it doesn't surprise me. ;D

Actually, I didn't grow up with either of the concoctions that @ChazzC mentioned. We had pickle relish, mustard and catsup in the house, but in separate containers.

I'm a mustard and onion guy on my hot dogs. It's a necessary element of each pilgrimage to COSTCO.

On that note, I visited a friend, near Washington DC, in about 2004. The COSTCOs around there had Italian sausage sandwiches that were a real nice change. I've been hoping, ever since, that the sausage would work it's way to the west coast COSTCOs. Apparently not.

All this food talk is having an effect (or is it having an affect) on me. I'm off to Original Tommy's, World Famous Hamburgers, to BUY a Double Chili Cheeseburger.