The huge issue Americans have with a single word used on Australian menus: 'This changes everything'
Americans are stumped over the use of the word 'entree' in AustraliaIt has different meanings in both countries READ MORE: American expats confused by Aussie food culture
Americans are stumped over a 'bizarre' menu difference they've noticed when dining out Down Under.
The word 'entrée' to describe the starters is leaving thousands of American visitors baffled as they use the term when referring to a main meal back home.
And it isn't only Australians who call the initial course the entrée, with most countries doing the same - including the French.
Culinary philosophy says the French usage of 'entrée' was a name derived from a dish's position in meal - the first.
The American understanding of 'entrée' refers to a more historical use of the word, meaning the main dish of the meal.
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A confused American addressed the common misunderstanding on Reddit, asking 'Why do so many Australians call it [the appetiser] an entrée??'.
'An entrée in modern French table service and that of much of the English-speaking world, is a dish served before the main course of a meal,' one Aussie replied.
'It seems only the US uses entrée to mean main, everyone else uses it to mean the first dish before the main,' another said.
An entrée in America is the second course or main meal
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I recently moved to Australia from the US and had to change my NAME because it means something completely different Down Under
TikTok star Smac Mccreanor cleared up the confusion for her 2.8M followers.
'In Australia entrée means appetiser, in USA, main meal in Australia means entrée in USA,' she said.
'This took me years to get over' lamented one user.
'I appreciate your patience explaining this to Americans,' another replied.
'My boyfriend is from Australia and we have had this conversation many times,' a third said.
Some tried to quell the disagreement by saying we all just need to call it 'food'.
Defending his fellow countrymen, an American was more than willing to stir the pot.
'Americans call the main meal an entrée just to 'stick it to the French' he said.