12 Things in English We Call ‘French’—But May Not Actually Be French

Happy Bastille Day! To mark this French national holiday, let’s explore some of the things we refer to as "French" in English that might not actually have any French origins.

1. FRENCH TOAST

In France, French toast isn’t called French toast. It’s known as pain perdu ("lost bread," because it’s made from stale bread) or pain doré (golden bread). The term French toast was used in the 17th century to describe any type of bread soaked and then fried: A 1660 reference mentions bread soaked in wine, sugar, and orange, then cooked.

2. FRENCH VANILLA

Vanilla comes from a tropical plant that doesn’t grow in France, so what’s the connection with French vanilla? Originally, French vanilla wasn’t a type of vanilla, but a style of vanilla ice cream made using a French technique involving an egg-rich custard base. Over time, it became a flavor on its own with a distinct, creamy profile.

3. FRENCH DRESSING

At first, the term French dressing referred to a simple dressing eaten in France made with oil, vinegar, herbs, and maybe some mustard. But by the early 20th century, it was adopted as the name for a pink, ketchup-based version that’s distinctly American.

4. FRENCH PRESS

In France, the French press coffee maker, a pot used to steep coffee grounds and filter them with a plunger, is known as a cafetière à piston or simply a bodum, after the leading brand. While it may have been invented in France, the first patent for it was filed by an Italian in 1929. The method of brewing became popular in France in the 1950s, later earning the name 'French-press style coffee' by American journalists.

5. FRENCH KISS

The term French kiss, referring to kissing with the tongue, entered English during World War I, when soldiers likely brought both the term and the style back with them. The word French had long been used to describe various provocative, sexually suggestive things like French letters (condoms), French postcards (nude photos), and French pox (venereal disease). In French, a tongue kiss is called rouler un patin, meaning ‘to roll a skate’ (perhaps referring to the smooth gliding motion?), though in Québec, they use the term frencher.

6. FRENCH HORN

In French, the French horn is called a cor d’harmonie or simply cor, a term used for the looped, tubed hunting horns made in France during the 17th century. The term French came to be used to differentiate it from other horn types, such as the German or Viennese horn, which had distinct tube and valve designs.

7. FRENCH FRIES

The term French fries originated in North America at the end of the 19th century, shortened from the longer “French fried potatoes.” Although the dish is more accurately Belgian, it was introduced to America by Thomas Jefferson, who brought a recipe back from France. In French, they are simply pommes frites, meaning fried potatoes.

8. FRENCH MANICURE

The French manicure, featuring a pinkish or nude base with bright white tips, is said to have been created in Hollywood during the 1970s. It became known as the French manicure after it appeared on fashion runways. Though not as popular in France, where women typically favor a natural, groomed look, the term has been borrowed from English and is referred to as la French manucure in France.

9. FRENCH BRAID

The term French braid (or French plait in British English) dates back to the 1870s, though the braid style itself—where hair is gradually gathered from the sides of the head—has existed for thousands of years, according to archaeological evidence. Its association with France likely stems from its connection to high fashion and the reputation of French as synonymous with elegance. In French, this specific braid style is also called tresse française.

10. FRENCH TWIST

The French twist, a hairdo where the hair is rolled and tucked vertically, also emerged in the 19th century and became associated with French high fashion. In French, it’s called a chignon banane, referencing its long, vertical shape.

11. FRENCH MAID

In 19th-century France, housemaids indeed wore black and white uniforms, though they were not as revealing as the French maid costumes seen today. The image of the French maid became a popular comedic character in theater and opera, and over time, the costume—along with its provocative features—became the symbol of what we now think of as the classic French maid.

12. FRENCH BREAD

Today, French bread typically refers to any white bread with a vaguely baguette-like shape, regardless of whether it has the traditional, crusty exterior. The term has been used in English since the 15th century to distinguish this bread from coarser varieties.