Cheddar is a place

Did you know that these 12 everyday foods are named after places?

Image: Fabrice Thys

From crispy French fries to juicy hamburgers, plenty of everyday eats carry the name of a city, country, or region. Sometimes the connection is real, and other times it’s nothing but a twist of history. Here are 12 tasty examples of foods whose names are rooted in places.

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This is a well-known fact by most, but it is worth repeating: despite the name, French fries likely originated in Belgium, where fried potatoes have been popular since the 1600s.

American soldiers in World War I tasted them there and called them "French" because French was the local language.

Image: amirali mirhashemian

The hamburger’s name comes from Hamburg, Germany, where minced beef patties were popular in the 19th century. German immigrants brought the idea to America, where it was served on bread.

Adding a bun turned it into the burger we know today. Now it’s a global icon, endlessly customizable with toppings, sauces, and even plant-based patties.

Image: Erik Mclean

Bologna, the Italian city, gave its name to this popular deli meat. Early versions were seasoned with peppercorns and fat cubes.

In the U.S., "baloney" became a smoother, milder version. It’s a lunchbox classic, often served in sandwiches, and a nostalgic taste for many Americans.

Image: Wagner Vilas

The first of three cheeses on the list, Swiss cheese refers to a style inspired by Emmental, from Switzerland, known for its distinctive holes. The holes form during fermentation as bacteria release gases.

In America, Swiss cheese is milder than the original, but it still keeps its nutty flavor. It’s a favorite in sandwiches, melts, and even on Reubens.

Image: Desi Min

This sausage takes its name from Frankfurt, Germany, where pork sausages have been enjoyed since the Middle Ages. German immigrants brought them to the U.S. in the 1800s.

Yes, today, frankfurters are better known as hot dogs, but the original name lives on. Whether grilled, boiled, or topped with chili, they’re a summer barbecue and ballpark essential.

Image: Katrin Leinfellner

Cheddar originated in the English village of Cheddar, where it was first made in caves that provided perfect aging conditions.

Over time, cheddar spread worldwide, with varieties ranging from mild to extra sharp. It’s one of the most versatile cheeses, perfect for melting, grating, or snacking.

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Dijon mustard is named after the city of Dijon in France, famous for mustard-making since the 13th century. The recipe uses brown or black mustard seeds and white wine or verjuice.

Its tangy, sharp flavor elevates sandwiches, dressings, and sauces, making it a pantry staple.

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Parmesan comes from Parma, Italy, where Parmigiano-Reggiano has been made for centuries under strict rules. It’s aged for years to develop its rich, savory flavor.

In the U.S., "Parmesan" often refers to a similar style, but true Parmigiano-Reggiano is a protected name.

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Buffalo wings were invented in Buffalo, New York, in 1964 at the Anchor Bar. They were first served as a late-night snack with hot sauce and butter.

Now, they’re a game-day must-have, coated in sauces from mild to blazing. They’re served with celery and blue cheese or ranch for dipping.

Image: Keenan Loo

Belgium might have lost the fries, but it retains the sprouts. Brussels sprouts get their name from Belgium’s capital, where they’ve been cultivated since the 16th century. They grow in clusters on a tall stalk.

Once unpopular, they’ve had a comeback thanks to roasting and creative seasoning. Now they’re a trendy side dish in many restaurants.

Image: Snappr

The Philly cheesesteak was born in Philadelphia in the 1930s, combining thinly sliced beef with melted cheese on a hoagie roll.

Cheez Whiz, provolone, or American cheese are the classics. It’s a hearty, flavorful sandwich that’s become a symbol of the city itself.

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Despite the name, London broil is an American creation, not a British import. The name likely came from marketing in the early 20th century to make the dish sound sophisticated.

It refers to marinating and broiling a cut of beef, often flank steak, before slicing it thin. Today, it’s a staple in steakhouses and home kitchens alike.

NAME ANCESTRY

14 Surprising Origin Stories Behind State Names In The USA

Image: Pin Adventure Map

Ever wondered where most US states’ names come from? From Native American roots to foreign or made-up words, the stories behind many of them are riddled with surprising historical references. Although the origin of some US states’ names is fairly obvious, many derive from unexpected people or places. The origin of names like Colorado, Montana, or Nevada are easy to infer —especially if you know a bit of Spanish— but many others have Native American origins with intriguing meanings. Some are even derived from fiction. If you ever wanted to know where names like Oregon, Connecticut, or Wisconsin come from, you are in the right place. Enjoy the surprising etymologies behind some of the names that make our country.

Image: Joshua Woroniecki

Interestingly, for a state whose main economic activity is agriculture, the word Alabama comes from the Choctaw language and can be translated as "plant-cutters" or "vegetation pickers", recalling the farming practices of the Native Americans that lived in this area.

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Alaska is a corruption of an Aleut word that means "mainland", but can be translated literally as "the object towards which the action of the sea is directed". This is one of those names that manage to bring poetry into a word as simple and down-to-earth as land.

Image: Vital Sinkevich

This one comes from… a Spanish adventure novel! Bet you didn’t expect that. In Las Sergas de Esplandin by Garcia Ordez de Montalvo, a book from the 1500s, there is a fictional place called the "Island of California". Even when the modern state of California is clearly not an island, some die-hard fanatic of the novel decided to bring the name to life here in the U.S.

Image: Juliette Dickens

Derived from the Algonquian word quinnehtukqut, which can be translated as "besides the long tidal river", in reference to the river Connecticut. If you are wondering what the "tidal" part means exactly, this is because the Connecticut River's flow and level are effectively influenced by tides along much of its course. Certainly some amazing insight into the rigorous knowledge of local hydrology that Native Americans managed to accrue over the centuries.

Image: Luke McKeown

Although the origin of this name is disputed, there are two main theories. One suggests that the islands may have been named after Hawaii Loa, their traditional discoverer. However, others have speculated that it is actually derived from the ancient Polynesian word hawaiki, meaning "place of the gods".

Image: NEOM

Another crazy one. Although the name was first claimed to be derived from a Shoshone word that meant "Gem of the Mountains", it is highly likely that the word was fabricated by George M. Willing, and meant as a practical joke.

Image: Stéfano Girardelli

Quite literally, "land of Indians", using a Latin suffix. The word Indians originally referred to the ancient dwellers of the shores of the Indus River, in South and Central Asia.

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"Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore!" said Dorothy, from The Wizard of Oz, right after a rampant tornado literally lifted her house in the air and took it to God knows where. Well, this US state’s fame for violent winds predates even the first settlers, since Kansas is a Native American word used by the Dakota, strongly related to the idea of "wind".

Image: Drew Beamer

This state owes its name to an Iroquoian word that means "land of tomorrow". Quite a blockbuster-worthy movie title, if you ask me.

Image: Mercedes Mehling

The origin story behind the name of "The Pine Tree State" is still disputed. However, there are some interesting theories. One states that it derives from "mainland", as a form of distinction from the many coastal islands in the vicinity. Other theories propose that it was named in honor of Henrietta Maria, queen of England, or after the province of Mayne in France.

Image: Anthony Cantin

To the Native Americans that lived in this region, Missouri meant "town of the large canoes", as the Missouri tribes were renowned for their skill in making dugout canoes.

Image: Ashley Levinson

A largely disputed one. Many suggest that the name has Spanish origins, being similar to other words like orejón (meaning "big ear") or orégano, in reference to a type of plant (similar to the Mediterranean oregano) that grows in the southern part of the state.

Image: Donnie Rosie

This is the only state that has a part of its founder’s name in it. It is widely believed that Pennsylvania means "Penn’s Woodland", and was named as such in honor of Sir William Penn, father of its founder William Penn.

Image: Brydon McCluskey

This is probably a French corruption of a native Miami word that meant "it lies red" or "river running through a red place", in reference to the bed of the river Wisconsin.

If our quick dive into the peculiar world of US state names wasn’t enough to quench your curiosity, stay around! We will keep uploading more content related to language and the weird stories and etymologies behind many English and foreign words.