Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris Why do Brits eat their entrees first? ? UK v US ENGLISH
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Mar 31, 2026 A transatlantic language face-off exploring why Brits call starters entrees while Americans flip the meaning. They unpack quirky phrase differences like have versus take a shower and why merry/marry/Mary sound the same to some. Expect a tour of idioms, pronunciation tells, vowel mergers, and why certain polite phrases land differently across the pond.
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Why Americans Call Entree The Main Course
- The US and UK use entree differently with Americans meaning the main course and Brits the starter.
- Jess cites early 1900s American sources showing entree began to supplant main courses for thrift and fashion.
How Quite Means Different Things In US And UK
- The word quite differs across the Atlantic: American quite is an intensifier, British quite is a mild qualifier.
- Rob notes the American usage is original from French, while British usage softened to mean 'rather' or 'pretty'.
Politeness Reads Differ Between Brits And Americans
- Brits often interpret polite phrases as backhanded while Americans take them literally and earnestly.
- YouGov polling showed Brits read 'with the greatest respect' as 'I think you're an idiot' far more than Americans do.