Buzz
Bread, berets, and various breakfast treats—these are some of the first things people think of when they hear France mentioned. However, most of the things you associate with France weren’t actually invented there.
In fact, many of the so-called 'French' items aren’t even originally French. So, take off your beret, step away from the French toast, and get ready to be surprised by all the so-called French things that aren’t.
10. The French Kiss
While it's commonly believed that French kissing is a French tradition, experts say otherwise. Although it's named after France, the kiss with tongue is actually first mentioned in the ancient text, the Kama Sutra, long before France even existed as a country. The practice itself dates back to at least the fifth century BC.
Some say that Alexander the Great played a role in spreading the ‘French’ kiss during his conquests in India, incorporating it into his vast empire. What we now know as France was once part of the Roman Empire, and the Romans were particularly fond of the kiss, which they then passed on to the French.
It was Americans who credited the French with inventing the tongue kiss after visiting the country in the 18th and 19th centuries. They noted that French women were more affectionate compared to their American counterparts, who were influenced by religious traditions that reserved kissing for the bedroom.
As American male travelers shared their experiences of receiving a 'French kiss' from women during their visits, the term gained popularity. Over time, the kiss became forever associated with France, despite its ancient, global roots.
9. French Toast
All those Sunday breakfast memories were based on a misconception. The delicious, syrup-covered bread dish we call French toast isn’t actually French. In fact, its recipe is so ancient that it predates the existence of France itself.
The ancient Romans of the early fifth century regularly ate what we now refer to as French toast. Their method involved soaking bread in milk and frying it in butter or oil, which is remarkably similar to how it’s still made today.
Legend has it that the modern twist on French toast was introduced by an innkeeper named Joseph French in Albany, New York, in 1724. He began preparing the dish for his guests, and it quickly became popular. The name 'French toast' isn’t actually a nod to the country, but to Joseph French—though the name can certainly be confusing.
8. The French Manicure
Manicures have been a part of fashion history for thousands of years. Wealthy individuals have been caring for their nails for over 5,000 years, which makes the French manicure a relatively recent trend. When it was first created in 1927, it was far removed from France.
The 'French' manicure was developed by renowned Hollywood cosmetician Max Factor, who introduced two new nail colors. One was a soft, pinkish hue that matched the natural color of unpolished nails, while the other was a bright white, perfect for highlighting just the tips of the nails.
The classic white-tip, rosy-nail manicure had been in fashion for years before being dubbed the 'French' manicure in the 1970s. Jeff Pink, who created a similar style to Max Factor’s for a natural nail look, was asked to showcase it on the Paris fashion runways. The style quickly caught on and became known as the 'French' manicure, despite its California origins.
7. The French Horn
The invention of the French horn is largely attributed to two men who weren’t French at all. The instrument was neither invented nor significantly altered in France, but its intricate design led the English to nickname it the 'French' horn, and the name stuck.
Horns were originally created for hunting and weren’t used in music until the 1500s. When traditional horns were modified with large, flared ends, the name 'French' horn was applied in the 1600s.
However, Heinrich Stoelzel and Friedrich Bluhmel are primarily credited with the invention of the modern design used in the French horn. They introduced the valves that gave the horn its signature sound. The double French horn, which is linked to more contemporary versions of the instrument, was designed by Edmund Gumpert and Fritz Kruspe. None of these inventors were French. In fact, Germany is more responsible than any other country for the modern 'French' horn.
6. The French Braid
The origin of the French braid dates back to long before France even existed—actually, before nations were truly formed. French braids can be traced to ancient Greek culture, where women wearing braided hairstyles were depicted in art, and to ancient Africa, where rock art shows braid-like styles dating back 6,000 years.
Braids were also worn by Celtic warriors during a time when Europe was divided into tribes, and women of the Sung dynasty in ancient China popularized them as a favored hairstyle.
French braids are one of the oldest and most globally recognized hairstyles. So, why have they been associated with France for so long? The answer lies in a short story published in 1871 in Arthur’s Home Magazine, where a husband suggests his wife wear her hair in 'that new French braid.' The design has been linked to France ever since.
5. The Beret
The beret has become such an emblematic symbol of France that it’s almost impossible to imagine one without the other. However, the truth is, the beret didn’t originate in France. According to biblical legend, the beret was created by none other than Noah, after he discovered some crushed wool near his sheep pens following the flood.
The wool turned into felt, which Noah then cut into a circular shape and wore on his head. The beret style dates back as far as ancient Greece, around 1500 BC, and became the most common hat for men during the Middle Ages.
While the exact origins of the hat are unclear, there’s no doubt that French shepherds helped popularize the beret. Shepherds working in the chilly French Pyrenees during the 1600s and 1700s wore woolen hats to keep warm during cold nights.
In the 1800s and 1900s, French artists living in the Left Bank region of Paris revived the beret as their signature look, much like modern-day hipsters. It’s during this period that the beret became a lasting symbol of French artists, and by extension, of French identity.
The French were also the first to incorporate berets into their military uniforms, which may explain why the style is so closely associated with France. French soldiers began wearing berets as early as the 19th century. Today, the beret is worn by military personnel worldwide, including U.S. soldiers, to signify certain ranks and regiments.
4. French Fries
Contrary to popular belief, French fries aren't from France. They actually originated in Belgium. The tale from Belgian history tells us that locals began frying potatoes in the 1600s, much like they did with fish. This culinary creation eventually became beloved worldwide, though the name 'Belgian fries' never quite gained the same popularity. It’s the name ‘French fries’ that stuck.
French fries, though ubiquitous today, didn’t become known in America until World War I. American soldiers stationed in Belgium tasted the fries and dubbed them 'French fries' due to the fact that French was the primary language spoken in Belgium at the time. Their popularity in the US exploded from there.
Some Americans, however, had already encountered French fries before the global conflict. Thomas Jefferson, during his tenure as the US Minister to France in the 1700s, developed a fondness for French cuisine. He brought the recipe for French fries back to America, where they made an appearance in early American cookbooks from the 1820s, though they didn’t gain widespread popularity until World War I.
3. The Croissant
The croissant. It's synonymous with France, a symbol of its culture and culinary tradition. People often think of it as the epitome of French pastry. But here's the truth: the croissant isn’t French at all.
Believe it or not, croissants were once rare in France. In the 1800s, they could only be found at select Viennese bakeries, mostly in the wealthier parts of Paris. Back then, even the French knew that these buttery delights were a foreign luxury that wasn’t easy to come by.
The croissant's true origins lie in Austria, where it was known as the kipfel. This crescent-shaped pastry, rich with butter or lard and sometimes dusted with sugar and almonds, was clearly the precursor to what we now recognize as the modern croissant.
According to Austrian legend, the kipfel was created in 1683 in Vienna to commemorate a victory over the Ottomans. However, this tale isn't entirely accurate. The kipfel, a forerunner of today’s croissant, actually dates back to 1227. It was gifted to Duke Leopold alongside other holiday treats by Viennese bakers. Crescent-shaped pastries existed long before the 17th century.
2. French Twist
Despite its name, the French twist has little to do with France. This iconic hairstyle actually traces its roots back to ancient Greece, where women wore their hair in twists and braids as part of intricate hairstyles. In France, it was called chignon du cou, but since 'French twist' was easier to pronounce, the name stuck.
The French twist became particularly fashionable during the late Victorian era, around the 1890s. Its elegant, formal appearance may have contributed to its French association. At the time, both Britain and America often mistakenly attributed many things to France that were actually of foreign origin.
1. French Dressing
French dressing in America bears little resemblance to the dressings used in France. In France, salads are typically dressed with a simple oil and vinegar vinaigrette. The bright, tomato-based dressing known as 'French dressing' is believed to be an American invention, with its precise origins remaining unclear and mysterious.
In the 1800s, salad dressings became a hit in America, and many early entrepreneurs jumped on the bandwagon, selling their own homemade recipes. Among these was the Campbell Soup Company, which was quick to enter the salad dressing market. They even published recipes using their soup as a key ingredient before World War II. It’s possible that they were the first to add tomato to French dressing, turning it into the distinctly American version we know today.
One of their early recipes included Campbell's tomato soup, which became the defining flavor of what Americans now call French dressing. However, it's important to note that tomato-based salad dressings have no place in traditional French cuisine.
