English food names explained: A culinary journey through language

Three young people sat outside eating pizza and smiling

Food is not just a means of nutrition; it can be a vibrant part of a culture's identity. English cuisine, influenced by its history, boasts a range of interesting and sometimes puzzling food names (some even puzzling fluent English speakers).Let's explore the stories behind some of the most well-known English food names.

English food names explained
Play
Privacy and cookies

By watching, you agree ɫèAV can share your viewership data for marketing and analytics for one year, revocable by deleting your cookies.

Bangers and Mash

Let's start with this classic British dish loved and known by many.

The term "bangers" refers to sausages, which earnt its name during World War II when rationing caused sausages to be cut with things like extra water (to go further).

The extra water made them pop and bang when cooked."Mash" refers to the creamy mashed potatoes that go with them.

Ploughman's Lunch

This traditional dish typically consists of a selection of cold ingredients, including cheese, cold meats, pickles, and bread.

The name originates from the idea that it was a meal enjoyed by ploughmen during their lunch break.

Bubble and Squeak

A dish made from leftover vegetables, usually leftovers from roast dinners. The name is said to come from the sound the vegetables make when they are fried—bubbling and squeaking in the pan.

Black Pudding

You might be thinking this is a nice dessert of sorts, but you'd be sorely surprised if it was served to you. Black pudding is a sausage made up of animal fat/blood and mixed with other things like oats and spices. This mix usually means its black in color.

It's a very old dish with a written record of it as far back as 800 BC, suspected to have come from the Romans.

Toad in the Hole

Despite its odd name, it is a lot nicer than it sounds. It consists of sausages baked in a large Yorkshire pudding.

The dish's name is thought to originate from the sausages poking through the batter, like toads peering out of a hole.

Scotch Egg

While you might think the name suggests a Scottish origin, the Scotch Egg is actually an English creation. It is a hard-boiled egg coated in sausage meat and breadcrumbs, deep-fried until golden brown.

The term "Scotch" here refers to the process of coating the egg.

Eton Mess

A dessert made with strawberries, whipped cream, and meringue. It’s thought that the dish was created at Eton College, a famous English school, when a pavlova dessert was accidentally dropped and mixed together.

The resulting mess became a beloved dessert and was aptly named Eton Mess.

Pork Scratchings

A popular pub snack, pork skin/rind is cooked to become a crunchy treat. They were originally made to make sure there was no part wasted of the pig.

The name's origin is up for debate, but it could be due to the rind that would have been scratched/scraped off.

English cuisine may have some peculiar dish names, but behind each one is a story, tradition, or nod to history. Some dishes have come about from hard times, needing to be resourceful and others have just been created by sheer chance or experimentation.

Exploring the names of food allows us to delve deeper into the country's cultural heritage and culinary traditions. Next time you encounter an unfamiliar English food name, remember there might be a story behind it.

Have a think about what food names from your country sound nothing like the dish, and why that name is used. You might find some surprising similarities.

More blogs from ɫèAV

  • Precision teaching with AI: Aligning GSE objectives with generative AI for targeted materials

    By
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    English teachers today face increasing demands: create engaging content, differentiate instruction and address diverse learner needs – all within a limited time. The rise of Generative AI, like ChatGPT, offers a promising solution. But without proper guidance, AI-generated content can lack educational value. This blog post introduces a practical, research-informed approach to using AI tools aligned with the Global Scale of English (GSE). You will learn how this framework helps educators design accurate, personalized and level-appropriate English teaching materials quickly and confidently.

    Why GSE and AI are a game-changing combination for ELT

    The Global Scale of English (GSE) is a CEFR-aligned framework developed by ɫèAV, offering detailed "can-do" learning objectives. It includes nearly 4,000 descriptors across speaking, listening, reading and writing skills, offering more precision than traditional level labels like A2 or B1. At the same time, Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT can generate entire lessons, tasks and assessments in seconds. The challenge lies in ensuring this content is aligned with clear pedagogical outcomes.

    Pairing AI’s creative speed with the GSE’s structured outcomes offers a scalable way to meet learner needs without compromising instructional quality.

    Unlocking measurable, differentiated and efficient teaching with GSE and AI

    The GSE makes objectives measurable

    Unlike generic teaching goals, GSE objectives are specific and measurable. For example, a B1-level learner objective might state:

    “Can identify a simple chronological sequence in a recorded narrative or dialogue.” (GSE 43)
    This clarity helps teachers define outcomes and ensure each AI-generated task targets an actual language skill, not just generic content.

    Generative AI enhances productivity

    Teachers using Generative AI can create draft lesson materials in minutes. By inputing a structured prompt such as:

    “Create a B1 reading activity that helps learners summarize the main points of a short article.”
    ChatGPT can instantly generate content that meets the learning goal. When guided by the GSE, AI becomes a collaborative assistant as well as a time-saver.

    The GSE + AI combination supports differentiation

    Because the GSE includes descriptors across a wide proficiency range (from pre-A1 to C2), teachers can tailor AI-generated content to meet the exact needs of their students. Mixed-level classrooms or tutoring contexts benefit especially from this, as teachers can create multiple versions of a task with consistent scaffolding.

    Practical tips

    • Use the GSE Teacher Toolkit to select objectives based on skill, level or function.
    • When prompting ChatGPT, include the GSE descriptor in your input for more precise results.
    • Always review and adapt the AI output to match your learners’ context, culture and curriculum.
    • Create a prompt library mapped to GSE codes to save time in future planning.

    A step-by-step example of the GSE and AI in action

    Here is a typical application of the workflow:

    1. A teacher selects a GSE objective, such as:
      “Can write a basic formal email/letter requesting information.” (GSE 46).
    2. Within seconds, a sample formal email, accompanied by a short reading comprehension task and a vocabulary activity, is generated.
    3. The reading task serves as a model to help learners analyze the structure, tone, and key language features of a well-written email before attempting their own.
    4. The teacher then reviews and refines the output for clarity, appropriateness, and context relevance.

    This process supports targeted teaching while significantly reducing preparation time.

    Overcoming challenges: Ensuring quality and relevance

    Challenge: AI outputs may lack cultural context, level appropriateness or instructional clarity.
    Solution: Always pair AI with professional judgment. Use the GSE to check that skills match the intended outcome, and adjust the complexity of the language as needed.

    Challenge: Teachers may be unfamiliar with how to write effective AI prompts.
    Solution: Start simple with templates like:

    “Create a [skill] activity at [level] that supports this GSE objective: [insert objective].”

    Challenge: Risk of over-relying on AI for instruction.
    Solution: Use AI as a starting point, not the final product. Combine AI-generated content with classroom interaction, feedback and your own creativity.

    Teaching tools that make this easier

    • : for exploring and selecting level-appropriate learning objectives
    • : for generating customizable teaching content
    • GSE Smart Lesson Generator: an AI-powered lesson creation tool developed by ɫèAV that uses the GSE framework to automatically generate high-quality activities and lesson plans
    • Google Docs or Word: for editing and organizing your materials before class

    Confidently transforming English teaching

    Combining Generative AI with the Global Scale of English allows teachers to design materials that are both fast and focused. The GSE provides the structure; AI provides the speed. Together, they offer a sustainable solution for personalized English instruction that respects both learner needs and instructional quality.

  • woman writing in notepad while looking at laptop computer and smiling

    Grammar 101: insider tips and tricks to instantly improve your writing (part 3)

    By
    Reading time: 7 minutes

    Many people can't tell the difference between the hyphen (-), the en-dash (–), and the em-dash (—). They may look similar but they can all help ensure that your writing looks professional and is easy to read. As an overview:

    • Hyphens improve clarity: there is a big difference between "a man-eating shark" and "a man eating shark".
    • En-dashes and em-dashes share a lot of the same functionality – including allowing for explanations and examples to be shared, and separating clauses – however, they are not interchangeable and their use is often down to personal preference.

    Let's explore what these three different dashes do and how they could improve your writing.

  • A teacher sat with young students while they work and hold crayons

    Icebreaker activities for the beginning of the school year

    By
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    The beginning days of school are both exciting and occasionally nerve-wracking for teachers and students alike. Everyone is adjusting to new faces, routines and a fresh environment. As a teacher, you can help make this shift smooth, inviting and enjoyable. One effective way to achieve this is by using icebreaker activities.

    Icebreakers are simple games or activities that help students get to know each other, feel comfortable and start building a positive classroom community. When students feel connected, they are more likely to participate, help each other and enjoy learning. Here are some easy-to-use icebreaker activities and tips for making the beginning of the school year memorable for everyone. Here are just a few ideas for icebreakers you can use in your classroom.