From the 1900s up to the 1960s, catsup was the more commonly used term. Who could […] Cuatro palabras extranjeras que el “mal español” ha destruido | The Boxcar says: April 11, 2013 at 9:22 pm The next time someone asks you what the scuttlebutt is, now you can tell them. You didn't notice a difference in taste, so what gives? Ketchup and catsup are simply two different spellings for the same thing: a modern, Westernized version of a condiment that European traders were introduced to while visiting the Far East in the late 17th century. That’s right, there is no difference between ketchup and catsup, save for the spelling on the bottle!. The latter more closely approximates the word’s pronunciation, and it’s also closer in sound to the likely source—either the Cantonese k’e chap or the Malay kechap, both originally types of fish sauce. When it comes to catsup vs ketchup, have you ever had a Mr. Burns moment, pondering the difference between the two?Well, spoiler alert: they are one and the same. Get exclusive deals, product news, reviews, and more with the Mental Floss Smart Shopping newsletter. In the current world, ketchup and catsup both refer to the spicy version of tomato sauce mixed with vinegar that is available around the world and is a popular accompaniment to snacks and fast food like French fries, burgers and pizzas. In Modern English, catsup is less common than ketchup. History of Ketchup in America. Ketchup and catsup are simply two different spellings for the same thing: a modern, Westernized version of a condiment that European traders were introduced to … During their time trading in the Far East, British sailors of the 1600s developed a taste for the delicious treat we now call ketchup and began exporting it to the West. But, interestingly enough, if we examine the graph of catsup vs. ketchup, we can see that the preference for ketchup, all things considered, a relatively recent trend, starting sometime in the mid-to-late 1900s. Ketchup was first mentioned in print around 1690. These folks say that the sauce was known as both kôe-chiap and kê-chiap in China, and the resultant confusion comes from different British traders who discovered the sauce in different places under different names. Ketchup vs. Catsup. The word ‘catsup’ entered the English language in 1690, while the spelling ‘ketchup’, entered the English language in 1711. What Is the Difference Between Catsup and Ketchup? Given the widespread preference for ketchup over catsup, there is really only one reason to still use catsup in your writing. Ketchup vs. Catsup has a storied battle, with commerce and government conspiring to declare a clear winner. The scuttlebutt was really the only place to do it. It could have been ke-chiap, from China's southern coastal Fujian region. Ketchup is a sauce used as a condiment. Catsup. The early Western versions of the sauce—which, beginning in 1711, was sometimes called ketchup, another Anglicization of the Malay name popularized in the book An Account of Trade in India—were pretty faithful to the original Eastern ones, with one of the earliest recipes published in England (1727) calling for anchovies, shallots, vinegar, white wine, cloves, ginger, mace, nutmeg, pepper, and lemon peel. Using Ketchup in a Sentence When to use ketchup: Ketchup is a noun for a spiced tomato sauce that people use as a condiment. Although ketchup seems like an all-American ingredient perfect for squirting on burgers, hot dogs, and fries,... Catsup. Ketchup and catsup: You've heard both words, and probably even dipped a plate of French fries in a pile of each one. Ketchup is the spelling modern speakers and writers are accustomed to seeing. The name was changed to catsup and by the late 1700s, astute people of New England added tomatoes, to the blend of fish sauce. So, the fact that ketchup and catsup existed at the same time is no surprise, which led to two different spellings of one thing. It is catsup or ketchup? Casual conversation is home to a variety of prompts. You might ask someone how they’re doing, what’s new, or if they’ve done anything interesting recently. If you are a writer in any English speaking country today, ketchup is the spelling you will want to use. Slowly and steadily, ketchup began a series of molts to become the ketchup we know of today. Well, not unlike day-glo and terrible music, it was an unfortunate result … In 1988, Del Monte switched its branding to be ketchup for that very reason: it became clear that ketchup was the spelling choice of the American consumer. If so, let us know by emailing us at bigquestions@mentalfloss.com. Home » Catsup vs. Ketchup: What’s the Difference? We will keep updating this page as sales come in, but for now, here are the best Amazon Black Friday sales to check out. But what exactly is scuttlebutt, and why did it become associated with idle water cooler talk? The tomato-based version of ketchup quickly caught on in the U.S. during the first few decades of the 19th century. So, why the change in preference? By the nineteenth century, ketchup was also known as tomato soy. Whether it was spelled ketchup or catsup was anybody’s guess. In the meantime, another alternative spelling popped up, mentioned in a 1730 Jonathan Swift poem: "And, for our home-bred British cheer, Botargo [a fish roe-based relish], catsup, and caveer [caviar].". The company did not release its own branded ketchup until 1867, well into the 19th century. This article contains affiliate links to products selected by our editors. Nautical technology made the scuttlebutt obsolete, but the term endured, becoming a catch-all word for unfounded rumors. According to Merriam-Webster, a scuttlebutt referred to a cask on sailing ships in the 1800s that contained drinking water for those on board. Believe it or not, catsup was once the dominant spelling in America, and it really wasn’t that long ago that this was the case. The Chinese version is actually more akin to a soy or Worcestershire sauce.It gradually went through various changes, particularly with the addition of tomatoes in the 1700s. No company was distributing nationally until at least 1837. Catchup is listed in dictionaries, but few writers use it. As Heinz increased its market share throughout the 1900s, its name—and more importantly its spelling—became associated with the tomato-based condiment. Catsup vs. Ketchup: What’s the Difference? Ketchup eventually won out, and it is the preferred spelling in all of English speaking world. What is Difference between Ketchup and Catsup? Glamor or Glamour – What’s the Difference. 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