french fries

Definition

Strips of potato that have been deep-fried.

Etymology

Clipping of earlier French fried potatoes (1856) and French-fried potatoes, potatoes supposedly prepared in the French style. The idea that the preparation was specific to French cuisine was more notional than otherwise; more at Wikipedia. Compare also French dressing.

Example Sentences

• "Thick-cut, crispy french fries are our specialty."
• "“What's the matter?” she asked quickly. “Haven't we had all the things before? Soup, chops, peas, French fries, and the fruit pudding–there wasn't a thing new.”"
• "His first official act was to order dinner. “A nice, juicy steak,” he is said to have called for, “French fries, apple pie and a cup of coffee.” It is probable that he really said “a coff of cuppee,” however, as he was a wag of the first water and loved a joke as well as the next king."