• x4740N@lemmy.worldEnglish
    7·
    1 year ago

    It’s communicated by context cues the same way one word has different meanings and context points to towards the meaning the person is communicating with a word

    Though it does get annoying when the context cues are missing for example someone asking you if you want chips and not specifying what type

    I’m guessing Australian language for “chips” calls them both that because they are a product made from potato that is usually salted and the two in the image are just different styles of the same potato product

  • NuPNuA@lemm.ee
    3·
    1 year ago

    None of those pictures are chips, they’re all fries, chips are chunky.

  • Delphia@lemmy.world
    3·
    1 year ago

    As an Australian I can comment on this, theres this wonderful thing called “Context”

    At McDonalds they refer to them as fries, but if you ask for a large chips, they know what you mean. If you go into a petrol station and ask where the crisps are, nobodies head explodes. If you go into a place that has ALL 3 (french fries, chips and crisps) and say “Can I get some chips” the person will ask for clarificaton.

    British roots and American television has made OUR english quite flexible.

      • Delphia@lemmy.world
        1·
        1 year ago

        French fries and chips

        As a rule most people I know think of french fries or fries as thin cut and chips as thick cut. Most restaraunts only do one or the other. If you ask for steak and chips and they do fries, they will either clarify for you (more likely) or just bring you fries.

      • psud@aussie.zone
        1·
        1 year ago

        Not many places offer both, but “a packet of barbeque chips” vs “$5 worth of chips” or “small chips” are were distinct

        In the imaginary situation where there are all three (why not more!)

        • chips (thick hot chips)
        • fries (thin hot chips)
        • packet of chips (crisps)
  • veroxii@aussie.zone
    2·
    1 year ago

    Usually not a problem because of context but you can easily specify hot chips or packet chips in places where they might have both such as a school or sports canteen.