A language expert has now revealed the surprising food words Britons get wrong while ordering abroad – and how you can make sure to master the right pronunciation even locals will applaud.
With millions of holidaymakers heading overseas this summer, many are brushing up on their high school French or trying to master a few local phrases.
But despite their best efforts, tourists from the UK are still regularly butchering the names of popular dishes.
To help avoid embarrassment while vacationing, Open Study College has launched a new GCSE French course, and their Language Expert Katie Shelley has shared a break-down of the most common faux-pas’ that catch us out – with the first being a common continental breakfast item.
English-speakers often pronounce croissant as ‘cross-aunt’ – but that’s not going to impress the Parisian waitress taking your order at the charming cafe along the rue.
The correct way to say it – and help you sound more authentic – is ‘kwa-son’, with a silent ‘t’.
Another French delicacy much loved by Brits abroad, pain au chocolat is often mislabelled as a ‘chocolate croissant’, so this French treat gets mispronounced regularly.
British tourists tend to call it ‘pan-a-chocolate’ or even say the silent ‘t’ at the end. But the correct phonetics are ‘pan-oh-shoh-koh-lah’.
Language expert Katie Shelley has revealed the most common blunders Brits make when ordering abroad in foreign languages (stock image used)
Elsewhere, when you’re in Italy, sampling some of the smoothest coffee in the world, you may order an espresso.
But one of the most common café mistakes is adding an extra letter that doesn’t exist.
There’s no ‘X’ in espresso – so forget saying ‘expresso’. The correct regional pronunciation is ‘eh-spreh-sow’.
Possibly the trickiest on the list is gyros. This Greek favourite is gaining popularity in the UK, but the name still trips people up.
Ordering a ‘guy-ross’ might raise eyebrows in Athens, as the correct pronunciation is ‘yee-ross’, with the ‘g’ sounding like a ‘y’.
Finally, bruschetta is a staple Italian starter – and one that’s perfectly refreshing in the sweltering European summer – but one that Brits often misread. The ‘ch’ in bruschetta is not pronounced the English way.
Instead, it should be said as ‘broo-sket-tah’ – with a hard ‘k’ sound.
So whether you’re after breakfast in a Parisian café or grabbing dinner in a Greek taverna, getting these names right might just save you from a red-faced moment, and even help you blend in a little better with the locals.
Topping the list are espresso, bruschetta, pain au chocolat, gyros and croissant – all beloved delicacies (stock image used)
Quite aside from language faux-pas, British tourists have been warned to avoid making a key mistake when they go on holiday – to avoid more serious mistakes.
A home security expert has told Britons that putting your address on your luggage is telling burglars to ‘help yourself’ to their house.
Carlos Dhunay, home security expert at Telcam Security Solutions, says: ‘Putting a residential address on your luggage is basically saying: this house is empty, help yourself.’
Many travellers put their full home address on their luggage to ensure it’s returned to them if it gets lost.
However, thieves might be alerted to an unoccupied property if they see the address.
Instead of writing a full address, Carlos recommends just listing a mobile number, email address or even a work address on a luggage tag.
He explains: ‘That way, airline staff can get in touch if needed, but you’re not advertising that your house is unoccupied.’
And there are also a few other easy mistakes that put British tourists at greater risk of burglary.
Carlos reveals: ‘Leaving a light on 24/7 can actually tip people off that you’re away. Instead, use smart lights or timers to mimic normal activity patterns.
‘Motion-activated lights and other outdoor security lighting are also a good way to deter potential burglars.’
The expert also recommends cancelling any regular deliveries while you’re away and asking a neighbour to keep an eye out for parcels.
And while it might be tempting to share constant holiday updates, it might be best to wait until you’re home.
