I’ve now heard a third Canadian waitress offer a choice between “white bread or brown bread”. Is “brown bread” the common Canadian expression for “whole wheat”? Or do they know something I don’t? Maybe it’s just food dye.
I’ve now heard a third Canadian waitress offer a choice between “white bread or brown bread”. Is “brown bread” the common Canadian expression for “whole wheat”? Or do they know something I don’t? Maybe it’s just food dye.
pumpernickel?
They always ask “white or brown”! It throws me every time, too.
Last time I was in Vancouver, my friends all laughed at me because my reaction to the question was a confused, “Huh?”
Are you in Canada????
“brown” is the expression I think in restaurants where if you said “spelt” they would say “bless you!”
Have you lost touch with your childhood, hon?
In the southern USA, I used to hear that usage all the time. Also, I believe James Taylor uses it in one of his songs– here, I’ve looked it up:
THAT’S WHY I’M HERE
(2nd verse)
John’s gone found dead he dies high he’s brown bread
Later said to have drowned in his bed
After the laughter the wave of the dread
It hits us like a ton of lead
It seems “learn not to burn” means to turn on a dime
And walk on if you’re walking even if it’s an uphill climb
And try to remember that working’s no crime
Just don’t let ’em take and waste your time
That’s why I’m here
brown
it’s a standard term here in Australia too. It means it’s made from brown flour (ie. not processed into the white stuff). So yeah, probably the same as your “whole wheat”.