Devon, polony, fritz: The food that goes by a half dozen different names
The Australian deli meat commonly known as devon, polony, or fritz has a history of changing names due to anti-German sentiment during World War I. Linguists note that the shift to names like 'Windsor' reflected a broader societal move to distance Australian culture from German origins.
Why it matters
This highlights how geopolitical conflicts can influence everyday language and cultural identity in unexpected ways.
You can hate it or love it, but what do you call it? ( Supplied: State Library of Western Australia )
Link copied Share Share article What do you call that most basic of luncheon meats at the deli?
You might have had it paired with tomato sauce on a white bread sandwich growing up, or maybe wrapped around a slice of cheese.
The ubiquitous deli meat has been a staple of school lunches for decades, and the name you use for it could reveal a lot about where you grew up.
The deli meat sandwich has been an Australian lunchbox staple for decades. ( ABC News: Stephen Clarke )
Around Australia it is known by a variety of monikers including devon, fritz, polony, Belgium, Strasburg, Windsor sausage or bologna.
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