why does america use entree as main course

by Selena Marquardt DVM Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago 9 min read

The American usage of the word entrée to mean the main course reflects the changing history of American food culture over the past century. Misnomer or not, the word marks that change and for that reason, it’s well worth keeping.

So entrée lived on, but not in its original form. In the US, the entrée became the main course, and appetizers or became the first course. In France, the entrée stuck with its translation (“start,” “beginning,” “entry”) and position of being the course before the roast, thus becoming the first course.Aug 29, 2017

Full Answer

What is the meaning of "entrée" in the UK?

In the UK, Australia and New Zealand, the word entrée refers to a starter course or courses, coming after the appetizers but before the main course. So, is it another case of Americans just not knowing what’s up or is there another reason behind the different meanings?

What is an entrée in French?

The word entrée entered the French culinary lexicon by way of music. An entrée is a term used to speak of an opening act in a musical or opera. So, it follows, an entrée was a beginning course for a traditional, French multi-course meal. By 1759, entrée is widely accepted as a culinary term in France.

How many courses are there in a French menu?

At that time, the “traditional French menu” was explained as consisting of five to six courses: soup, hors d’oeuvres (and/or fish), entrée (or entrées), a roast (the star of the show), a final course and then dessert.

Why did menus become simplified?

Menus became simplified to reflect the changes of a modern world. All of this was cemented by the Great Depression and WWII. The word entrée remained in the American lexicon but the meaning changed in accord with a change in custom.

Why were hors d'oeuvres simplified?

Menus became simplified to reflect the changes of a modern world.

When was the word "entrée" first used?

EDIT (June 10 2015) In 1555, when entrée was first used to refer to the first course of a French meal, the privileged classes staged sumptuous dinners. Entrée comes from a word meaning “entrance.”. In the 16th century, the first dish at a fancy dinner wasn’t just plunked down on the table.

What is the French entrée?

By the 1650s, the French entrée was a hot meat dish served after the soup. The word continued to have this meaning until after 1921, when it came to have its present French meaning of “a light first course.”

What was the first course of French food?

This first course was termed the entrée de table. After the entree (or entrees) came the soup, and after the soup, the roast, and after the roast, the final course. According to food historians, this order of service gradually changed. By the 1650s, the French entrée was a hot meat dish served after the soup.

What does "entree" mean in 1903?

1903 Good Housekeeping Mar. 266/1 : The word [‘entree’] stands for a dish introduced between two courses in a formal dinner. A ‘tasty’ entree, however, with a good soup at the beginning and a nice dessert as the end, may appear in the middle of a family dinner and fill out a most satisfactory bill of fare.

What are the four courses of the Queen's meal?

In the “ideal’ four-course meal for the Queen voted on for a BBC contest in 2006, the four courses are described as: Starter, Fish Course, Main Course, and Dessert.

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What is the dining practice at most high-end Western restaurants that don't highlight the following of a particular ethnic?

More seriously, we're not even doing that, but the dining practice at most high-end Western restaurants that don't highlight the following of a particular ethnic practice is a late-20th Century adaptation of service à la russe.