Why Americans refer to the main course as the 'entree' (meal, Italian)

[Trimac20]

The Straight Dope: Why do Americans refer to the main course of a meal as the "entree?" What happened to the kilocalorie?

This confused me when I first visited America 2 years ago, although i soon figured it out, of course. You guys refer to the main course as the 'entree', which is known as the starter or appetizer in the rest of the world. Here the main meal is the main course.

I guess now I know the reason why lol.

[Bulldogdad]

Guess you missed the part in your article where the author points to Aussies as being 100 years behind everyone else in food culture.

When I was growing up dinner almost always was soup/salad/antipasta then the main course which was actually a combination of several course served all at once.

At my Italian Grandparents they served two-three courses for the Sunday meal.

At my Mexican Grandparents they served two but were comprised of several all at once on the table for the Sunday meal.

Not including dessert at both houses so add another one.

[Trimac20]

Originally Posted by Bulldogdad

Guess you missed the part in your article where the author points to Aussies as being 100 years behind everyone else in food culture.

Lol no I saw that, I guess he kind of had that coming to him. I also know it to be pretty untrue, though, our food scene is considered one of the most diverse and exciting in the world. We have many world class chefs.

[EnricoV]

Originally Posted by Trimac20

The Straight Dope: Why do Americans refer to the main course of a meal as the "entree?" What happened to the kilocalorie?

This confused me when I first visited America 2 years ago, although i soon figured it out, of course. You guys refer to the main course as the 'entree', which is known as the starter or appetizer in the rest of the world. Here the main meal is the main course.

I guess now I know the reason why lol.

Rest of the world? You mean the UK and Australia, I assume (I'm going to guess ... though am by no means certain, that Canada falls more in line with the US usage). There is a bit more world out there that doesn't speak English.

[mainebrokerman]

and all this time i thought entree' was latin for suppa