French dressing
nounEtymology Named in the Anglophone world for the early origins, in French vinaigrettes, that inspired later versions, although the present-day conventions for the dressing's composition do not directly reflect the original French influence; more at Wikipedia. Compare french fries regarding the name mostly not reflecting any direct French influence.
Usually A mixture of vinegar, oil and other herbs or flavourings (vinaigrette).
- CREAM CHEESE AND CUCUMBER SANDWICH: On thin slices of lightly buttered brown bread spread cream cheese; over same sprinkle chopped cucumbers that have been mixed with a little French dressing. Cover with another slice of lightly buttered brown bread.1909, Eva Greene Fuller, The Up-To-Date Sandwich Book: 400 Ways to Make a Sandwich, page 118:
US, Usually A salad dressing that is a uniform viscous sauce with a tangy sweet flavor. It is generally made from vegetable oil, vinegar, ketchup (or tomato puree), water, paprika, other spices, and sweeteners.
Canada, Usually A salad dressing that is a uniform viscous sauce with a tangy sweet flavour. It is generally made from vegetable oil, vinegar, mustard, honey, water, and spices.
- Synonyms
- French salad dressing, vinaigrette, Catalina dressing
- Hypernyms
- salad dressing
- Coordinate terms
- Italian dressing, Thousand Island dressing and Russian dressing