French toast is a delicious breakfast dish that is made by soaking bread slices in a mixture of eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon, then frying the coated slices until golden brown. While this dish is commonly referred to as “French toast” in North America, it actually goes by many other names around the world.
Eggy Bread
One of the most common alternative names for French toast is “eggy bread.” This name is widely used in Britain, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. The term refers to the key ingredient in French toast – beaten eggs – which are used to coat and soak the bread before frying.
Gypsy Toast
“Gypsy toast” is a name that was historically used for French toast in England. The term first appeared in print in the late 1800s and was likely derived from the belief that the dish was borrowed from European travelers or “gypsies.” While the name may have origins in stereotyping certain cultures, it continues to be used, especially by older generations in Britain.
German Toast
In Germany, French toast is known as “Arme Ritter” which translates to “poor knights.” However, in parts of Pennsylvania and Ohio, which had large populations of German immigrants, it is referred to as “German toast.” The term reflects the dish’s roots in Germany before it became known as French toast in North America.
Spanish Toast
In parts of New England, especially Maine, French toast is colloquially called “Spanish toast.” Like “German toast,” this name reflects the belief that the dish originated in Spain and was later introduced to France. While the exact origins are uncertain, the Spanish name highlights the international history of French toast.
American Toast
Interestingly, while called “French” toast in North America, in France itself the dish is referred to as “pain perdu” which means “lost bread” and refers to it being a good use for stale bread. When the dish is served in France, it is sometimes called “American toast” reflecting back the name used in the United States.
Fried Bread
In China and Hong Kong, French toast is known simply as “fried bread.” This descriptive name highlights the basic cooking method used – bread fried in egg mixture. The Chinese name gets straight to the point without any cultural connotations.
Bombay Toast
In parts of India, French toast is referred to as “Bombay toast.” The origins of this name are uncertain, but it may refer to the popularity of the dish in Bombay. The name uses the old British colonial name for the city now known as Mumbai.
Concluding thoughts
While commonly known as “French toast” in North America, this beloved breakfast dish is an international staple with many different regional and cultural names. These include eggy bread, gypsy toast, German toast, Spanish toast, American toast, fried bread, and Bombay toast. The variety of names reflects the wide popularity and dissemination of French toast around the world over time.
At its core, by any name, French toast is a dish made by coating bread in beaten eggs and frying it to golden brown perfection. The delicious result is a sweet, custardy, decadent bread dish that remains a breakfast favorite wherever it is served!