Catsup vs. Ketchup – What is the Difference?
What’s the Difference Between Catsup and Ketchup?
Contents
Catsup and ketchup are two alternate spellings of the same word.
Catsup is a tomato-based condiment.
- Excuse me, waiter. Could I please have some catsup for my french fries?
Ketchup is the same product as catsup, a tomato-based condiment.
- I always put ketchup and mustard on my hamburgers.
Let’s look at the usage of these two words.
Using Catsup in a Sentence
When to use catsup: Catsup is a noun that describes a condiment with a tomato base as well as several other ingredients.
For example,
- It is traditional to put catsup on hot dogs.
- I want to make my own catsup from my grandmother’s recipe. It involves tomatoes, vinegar, sugar, and other spices.
In Modern English, catsup is less common than ketchup. Most of the major ketchup brands call themselves ketchup instead of catsup, so the trend is that catsup is decreasing in popularity.
Using Ketchup in a Sentence
When to use ketchup: Ketchup is a noun for a spiced tomato sauce that people use as a condiment.
For example,
- Heinz is the most popular brand of ketchup.
- Ketchup was initially considered high cuisine, then over time became a food for the masses. Nowadays, people are interested in gourmet ketchup again.
Ketchup is about 5 times more common than the alternate spelling catsup. Over time, it has changed from a fish-based condiment to a tomato-based condiment.
It originated in China, in the 1600s, at which time it consisted of pickled fish and other spices. It spread to neighboring countries from China, and English people living in the area tasted it and brought it back to England. They kept the same name that the Indonesians and Malay people used for it.
Once ketchup arrived in the United Kingdom and America, citizens of those countries began altering the recipe. They often used mushrooms as the base. By the mid 1800s people in these areas used tomatoes as the main ingredient.
For a fuller discussion on the history on spelling of ketchup, see here.
Remembering Catsup vs. Ketchup
One way to help you remember which of these words is more common is to use their spellings.
Ketchup has more letters in it than the word catsup. The greater number of letters can help you remember that there is also a greater number of people who use that spelling.
Outside Examples
- He wrote that he finds it ironic that “foods we might consider prosaic or even ‘working-class,’ like burgers, catsup, BBQ sauce, beer and doughnuts, have all been embraced by foodies, who have turned their ingredients, preparation and consumption into reflective, skilled and desirable experiences.” –Houston Chronicle
- Amberger thinks the original logo had the company name in a bun and the W was supposed to be a squiggle of catsup or mustard. –OC Register
- And no meal is complete without the condiments, which include an American favorite, Heinz ketchup, which holds a royal warrant. –New York Post
- There are also freebies like ketchup, malt vinegar, pickled peppers and “the especial,” a master mix of ketchup, sweet raw onion and the creamy Dutch “Frites Sauce” that Shorshi and Levinson import from Europe. –New York Daily News
Quiz: Ketchup vs. Catsup
Instructions: Fill in the blank with the correct word, either ketchup or catsup, in the correct form.
- This fancy new restaurant has gourmet __________________ with truffles as one of the ingredients. (more popular spelling)
- This is my grandfather’s __________ recipe, which has been passed down in the family for many years. (less popular spelling)
- Most fast food restaurants offer free packets of ________________ along with meal orders. (more popular spelling)
See answers below.
Article Summary
Should I use catsup or ketchup? These words have the same meanings and are simply alternate spellings. Therefore, both are correct.
- Catsup is a condiment and is the less popular spelling for the majority of regions.
- Ketchup is also a condiment and is the more popular spelling. Use this spelling to be have the highest clarity for the majority of readers.
Although both words are correct, ketchup has become much more popular and catsup continues to decrease in popularity. Therefore, it is best to use the spelling of ketchup.
The only time to use catsup is if you are writing the commercial name of a ketchup that uses catsup in the product name.
Answers
- ketchup
- catsup
- ketchup