Why the United States and the United Kingdom Have Different Names for the Same Vegetables

In the latest episode of Anglophenia, host Kate Arnell explains why the names of certain vegetables are different in the United States and in the United Kingdom. The most common reason comes from the etymological roots of how the produce was introduced to the country. For example, a long green squash that’s known as courgette (from French) in the U.K.,is known as zucchini (from Italian) in the U.S.

If you’re grocery shopping in the U.K., you’re going to want to know your scallions from your spring onions. Anglophenia’s Kate Arnell explains why certain veggies (like eggplants and zucchinis) are called different things depending on which side of the Atlantic you’re on.

Lori Dorn
Lori Dorn

Lori is a Laughing Squid Contributing Editor based in New York City who has been writing blog posts for over a decade. She also enjoys making jewelry, playing guitar, taking photos and mixing craft cocktails.