🍖 BBQ: More Than Just Grilled Meat

Have you noticed that everyone’s talking about BBQ lately? Whether it’s a summer picnic in Paris or a cookout in Texas, “BBQ” seems to appear on every plate—and in every conversation. But have you ever wondered… where does the word “BBQ” even come from?

From the Caribbean to Your Plate

The word barbecue has traveled across oceans and centuries. Its roots go back to the Taíno people, an Indigenous group in the Caribbean, who used a wooden structure called barbacoa to slowly cook meat over a fire. Spanish explorers borrowed the word in the 1500s, and from there, it jumped into English.

Over time, barbacoa became barbecue, and eventually BBQ. Today, that abbreviation appears everywhere—from restaurant signs to text messages.

But “BBQ” isn’t just a shortcut—it’s a window into history, migration, and cultural exchange. 🌎🔥

The Texas BBQ Experience

One of my students from an English course with CPF in Vincennes once asked me if BBQ in Texas was really that different. The short answer? Absolutely.

As a Texan living in France, I’ve had to explain many times that real BBQ isn’t just tossing sausages on the grill. In Texas, BBQ is serious business. We're talking beef brisket smoked for hours, secret spice rubs, and homemade sauces passed down through generations.

BBQ in Texas is more than a meal—it’s an event, a community, and yes, even a source of regional pride. I grew up with weekends centered around BBQ pits, long conversations, and big family gatherings. So when someone in an English course in Vincennes says “Let’s BBQ!” I always smile—but I also want to ask, “What do you mean by that?”

BBQ in the Classroom

Even in my E-learning lessons, BBQ comes up—especially when the weather warms up. Students want to talk about their plans, describe recipes, or even debate charcoal vs gas.

During my private tutoring in English, I often use food as a way to connect language with real-life culture. BBQ is perfect: it’s got rich vocabulary, strong cultural identity, and a fascinating linguistic story.

BBQ Around the World

Of course, BBQ isn’t just Texan. Korean bulgogi, Argentine asado, South African braai, Japanese yakiniku—every culture has its own way of grilling meat and gathering people.

The beauty of the word BBQ is that it brings all of these ideas together. One word, many

traditions.

Food Words that Travel

“Barbecue” isn’t the only example of food vocabulary that crossed borders. Just take a look at your plate:

• Ketchup: From Chinese kê-tsiap (a fermented fish sauce!)

• Avocado: From the Aztec ahuacatl

• Yogurt: From Turkish yoğurt

• Curry: From Tamil kari, meaning sauce

• Chocolate: From the Nahuatl word xocolatl

• Croissant: Yes, we borrowed it from French—but so did everyone else!

Food and language go hand-in-hand. As English evolved, it absorbed words from around the world. Each bite is a little history lesson. 🍽️📚

So, What’s on the Grill?

As an English teacher in Vincennes, I love showing students that learning English also means learning stories—about people, food, travel, and history.

Next time you hear the word “BBQ,” think beyond burgers. Think of Indigenous innovation, colonial history, Texan smokers, and global connections. And maybe—just maybe—don’t call it “barbecue” if it’s just grilled zucchini 😄