You said it comes from where?

Don't believe their names, these dishes come from elsewhere

Credit: Brooke Lark

Many dishes carry an origin in their name. But were they created in those places? Canadian bacon is back bacon, Russians eat Olivier salad, and Thai people do call it pad Thai, but is this the norm? Some dishes that are popular in America are associated with certain cuisines in their names when, in reality, they have a different origin. Let’s explore some of them and find out how they came to be called this way!

French Fries

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Contrary to what the name suggests, French fries originated in Belgium, not France. According to a popular story, 17th-century Belgian villagers, unable to fish on a frozen river, decided to fry their potatoes instead.

So, why French and not Belgian fries? There are several likely stories, but the term ‘French fried’ has been synonymous with ‘deep fried’ long before it was used for potatoes.

Hawaiian Pizza

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Pineapple as a pizza topping might be one of the most divisive food choices, and Hawaiians unjustly bear the brunt of the anti-pineapple side. But this controversial pizza combination is the result of many factors, none of them related to the Aloha state.

The idea behind this pairing came from a Greek-Canadian restaurateur from Ontario who had experience cooking Chinese food, abundant with sweet and sour combinations. Why Hawaiian then? It was the brand of the canned pineapple.

German Cake

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Spongy chocolate layers and a coconut-pecan frosting; no wonder this cake is a tried and true classic. But it is not the German chocolate classic, as that title is held by Black Forest cake. This one is all American.

The original name of this dessert was German’s chocolate cake, after chocolate-maker Samuel German. With the recipe becoming popular and rival chocolate brands developing their versions, the possessive in the name was eventually dropped.

Danish Pastries

Credit: Isabelle Tombleson aka The Psychologist Within

Danishes are one of those pastries that are simply versatile. They have a multitude of fillings and flavor profiles, and make excellent snacks. But are they actually Danish?

If you were to ask someone from Denmark, they would tell you that their real name is wienerbrød, or Viennese bread. But, although they were an Austrian import into Denmark, the truth is that Danish bakers developed their own distinct recipe. So, they are sort of Danish.

Japanese Peanuts

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While this snack was developed by a Japanese person, it doesn’t exist in Japan as we know it. It originated in Mexico, where a recently unemployed Japanese immigrant took up selling snacks as a way of providing for his family.

Inspired by mamegashi —a Japanese snack of seeds coated in spiced flour and fried— he chose peanuts to adapt them to the Mexican taste. The snack became popular instantly and was known as ‘Japanese-style’ peanuts.

French Toast

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The trick of wetting and cooking stale bread is older than the country of France. A 1st-century Roman cookbook contains what is considered to be the first recorded (eggless) French toast recipe, called aliter dulcia (‘another sweet dish’).

The dish does exist in France, but it’s called pain perdu, or ‘lost bread’. Possible explanations for the ‘French toast’ name talk about either a desire to make it sound more upscale or about a man called Joseph French popularizing it in America.

Macedonia Salad

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After a few dishes wrongly attributed to France, we encounter a French dish wrongly attributed to Macedonia. This dish can be found across southern Europe, but the term macédoine comes from French cuisine and is used for a salad made from small pieces of fruits or vegetables.

Though disputed, several sources claim that Macedonia refers to the mix of fruits or vegetables, as a reference to the mix of people that were part of the empire of Alexander the Great of Macedonia.

Swiss Cheese

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This one’s tricky: some Swiss cheeses come from Switzerland, but not all. The term ‘Swiss Cheese’ is used in America in a generic sense to talk about cheeses similar to Swiss Emmental (the yellow cheese with holes, in case you don’t recognize the name).

While Emmental is a registered name for cheeses made in that specific region, it’s still used for similar products from other countries. Also, true Emmental cheese might be sold as ‘Swiss cheese’ in the U.S.

Spanish Rice

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Spanish people are well-known for a specific rice dish, but it’s not this one, because this one’s Mexican. Sometimes called Mexican rice, this dish is a common side dish in Mexican cuisine, which is simply known as arroz rojo, or ‘red rice’.

Why the association with Spain, then? The name is used in the context of Tex-Mex cuisine: some say it’s because the dish is perceived as a simpler version of the Spanish paella, while others think it’s because it comes from a Spanish-speaking culture.

Italian Dressing

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If you ever travel through Italy, don’t expect to find Italian dressing available in restaurants or supermarkets. Despite its name, this one is one hundred percent American.

But it does have a connection with Italy: it originated in Massachusetts, where a restaurant started selling a salad vinaigrette made by the owner’s wife. She was the daughter of Italian immigrants, and this was her family’s recipe, so everyone called it ‘the Italian dressing’.

Your pup will thank you

You've been wrong about dogs this whole time! Here's the truth!

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Dogs are part of the family: They're our best friends and our constant companions. But over the years, myths about dog behavior have made their way into common belief. Some sound logical, while others are just crazy, but how do we separate fact from fiction? Can dogs really tell time? Is chocolate always deadly? Let's take a look at some of the most common myths about our four-legged friends, some of which might just surprise you!

Credit: Dominik QN

Many dog owners believe that once their pup has reached a certain age, training becomes impossible. It’s only logical: When we see a young pup and their eagerness to pick up on commands quickly, we tend to think older ones won’t be able to do that. Because of this, many people give up on training their senior dogs, assuming the effort won’t pay off. But is this belief really true? Place your bets!

Credit: Camylla Battani

As it turns out, age is just a number: Dogs are capable of learning at any stage of life! While older dogs may take a little longer to pick up new habits, just like we humans, their brains remain highly adaptable.

Training activities work best when it’s fun, positive, and rewarding, so grab some tasty treats and start small. Short, frequent training sessions are the key to success.

Credit: Matthew Henry

Ever leave the house and come back to a dog who acts like you’ve been gone for years? Many assume dogs don’t understand time, thinking they react the same whether you’ve been gone for five minutes or five hours.

Since they don’t read clocks, it’s easy to assume they live entirely in the moment. But if that’s the case, how do they seem to know exactly when it’s time for dinner or their daily walk?

Credit: Karsten Winegeart

Science confirms that dogs have a sense of time. Studies have shown that dogs can distinguish between different time intervals, meaning they know the difference between an hour and several hours. But how?

They associate events with specific routines. If you always walk them at a certain time, they’ll start anticipating it. Some experts believe dogs use scent to tell time, as human odors change throughout the day. So yes, your dog really does know if you’re late for dinner!

Credit: Tim Mossholder

On warm days, it’s tempting to crack the windows and run into the store, thinking your pup will be fine for a few minutes. After all, they have fresh air, right? Many people assume that as long as the windows are open, there’s no risk of overheating. But just how safe is it?

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Leaving a dog in a parked car, even for a few minutes, can be incredibly dangerous. Cars heat up shockingly fast, even with the windows cracked, and dogs have a harder time regulating body temperature than humans.

Heatstroke can set in quickly, and once it does, it can be fatal. If you wouldn’t sit in a parked car on a hot day, why would you let your dog do so?

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Humans rely on words to express emotions, but dogs sadly don’t have that luxury. Many assume that while dogs pick up on body language, they can’t actually sense how we feel.

After all, emotions are internal, right? However, have you ever felt your dog was closer than ever when you’re feeling down? Is that real, or is it just your mind playing tricks?

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If you said this was possible, you were right! Dogs don’t just guess your feelings; they can smell them! Their noses are 100,000 times more powerful than ours, meaning they pick up on chemical changes in our bodies.

When we’re scared or anxious, we sweat slightly differently, releasing hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. Your dog doesn’t just see your nervous body language; they literally smell your fear. So yes, they know when you’re having a bad day, and that’s why they’re always ready to comfort you.

Credit: James Barker

Chocolate is delicious, and dogs seem eager to try everything we eat, don’t they? We might feel tempted to share our piece of chocolate with our furry best friend.

Many people believe that while chocolate is technically bad for dogs, a small amount won’t actually cause harm. If a dog sneaks a bite of a cookie or a tiny piece of chocolate, it’s no big deal… right?

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Well, chocolate contains theobromine, a chemical that is toxic to dogs. The danger of it depends on the type of chocolate and the size of the dog. Naturally, dark chocolate is the worst, as it contains the highest levels of theobromine.

While a tiny bit of milk chocolate might not be fatal, it can still cause vomiting, diarrhea, or heart issues. If your dog eats any chocolate, call your vet immediately. You know the saying: Better safe than sorry!

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When humans have aches and pains, we reach for ibuprofen or aspirin. Some dog owners assume it’s safe to give their pups a tiny dose of these medications if they’re injured or sick. After all, if it helps humans, it must help dogs too, right?

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That’s actually not the case! Giving ibuprofen to your dog can have serious, even fatal, consequences.

Dogs process medication differently than humans, and even small doses can cause stomach ulcers, kidney damage, or liver failure. If your dog is in pain, never give them human medicine. Just consult your vet for safe, pet-approved pain relief options. What works for us doesn’t always work for them!