"freedom fries" news and stories

Today's Washington Times features an odd little story about how congressional cafeterias in Washington, D.C., have apparently abandoned the terms "freedom fries" and "freedom toast" and returned to using the word French to describe the fried treats. Times reporter Christina Bellantoni didn't have much luck getting comments from either of the politicians that introduced the patriotic name change back in March 2003, however. "I really don't see how this is a story," one representative's spokesman said. Still, regardless of how the shift in menus came about, it appears that changes have been made.

The confectioners' union in Iran ordered the change of the name of a popular breakfast pastry from "Danish pastry" to "Rose of Muhammad", reports Yahoo! News. Bakeries across the country were ordered to cover up signs advertising Danishes and only refer to them by their new name. One bakery owner said "This is a punishment for those who started misusing freedom of expression to insult the sanctities of Islam" though because the name "Danish" is not trademarked and no one receives royalties from its use, it is unlikely that anyone (except confused customers) is actually feeling punished by this change. Danish companies are feeling the pinch as some countries boycott other Danish products, however. This renaming is reminiscent of the attempted change of "French fries" to "freedom fries" in the United States in 2003 - a change which stuck in newspaper headlines longer than it did on menu boards.

Source