French fries were most likely invented in Belgium. According to Belgian local lore, in the late 1600s, villagers living in the Meuse Valley would fry small fish they caught in the river. When the river froze in winter, making fishing impossible, they cut potatoes into fish-like shapes and fried them instead, thus creating the earliest form of French fries
. The name "French fries" is believed to have originated during World War I when American soldiers stationed in Belgium encountered the fried potatoes. Since the official language of the Belgian army was French, the soldiers called them "French fries," and the name stuck
. There is some dispute over the exact origin, with France also laying claim to the invention of fries, especially Paris in the 19th century. Some historians note that fried potatoes were mentioned in French cookbooks as early as 1795, but the typical stick-shaped fries as we know them today were popularized later, possibly influenced by Belgian preparations
. In summary, while the exact origin is debated, the strongest historical and cultural evidence points to Belgium as the birthplace of French fries, with the name deriving from the French language spoken there rather than the country of France itself.
