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"American conditions" - In the Netherlands, "Amerikaanse toestanden" is a way to refer to a wide gap between the rich and the poor.

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"American salad" - The Slovenians call coleslaw "Ameriška solata." Because what would an American salad be without mayonnaise? 

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Going "American style" - In Chile, this means to go commando.

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"American mountains" - In Russia, rollercoasters are called "Amerikanskie gorki."

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"American coffee" - In Japan, this is simply a way to say a weak, black cup of coffee. No Pumpkin Spice Lattes Japan? Where is the originality?

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"American sauce" - Because apparently, Thousand Island dressing is something America is known for in Germany. 

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"American fried rice" - The Thai dish "khao pad American" is a strange concoction of fried rice with ketchup, chicken, peas, bacon, croutons, ham, hot dogs, and even raisins. Apparently, it was created when Americans were stationed in Thailand during the Vietnam War for some unknown reason.

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A "free American" - In Poland, a "Wolna amerykanka" is essentially a no-holds-barred wrestling match. Apparently fight club is real in eastern Europe.

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A "full Texas" - In Norway, "Heilt Texas" is an expression to describe an unhinged or chaotic situation. 

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An "American fist" - In France, brass knuckles are called, "Le coup-de-poing américain."

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"American stock" - In Belgium, a store that sells camping or outdoors products is called an "Amerikaanse Stock."

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An "American party" - In the Netherlands, an "Amerikaanse fuif" is the word used for a potluck. 

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An "American burger" - This one is pretty much self-explanatory. Super-sized burgers in Australia are called American. 

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To "have an American" - In Ireland, this is an expression used to describe pleasuring oneself. Apparently it's a take on rhyming slang. American to yank to... well, you get the idea. 

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"American questions" - Multiple choice questions on tests are seen as very American in Israel and several other countries.

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"American tape" - In Spain, "Cinta Americana" is a way to describe the always useful handy-dandy tool, duct tape. 

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An "Amerikænker" - In the Netherlands, a tumor surrounded by fatty tissue is named after America. 

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"American lettuce" - In Brazil, iceberg lettuce is called, "Alface Americana." Because, of course, if America is named after a vegetable it will have the least amount of nutrients possible.

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An "American stop" - You know a California stop? Yeah, that's just an "American stop" in Canada. 

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An "American election" - The Dutch recently started referring to elections where the debate is media-focused—so not about the policy but about the candidate, as "American elections."

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An "American kitchen" - In Spain, a "Cocina Americana" is an open-style kitchen rather than the traditional style closed off by a wall.

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"Cool American" chips - In some European countries, including Switzerland, "Cool Ranch" Doritos are called American. Maybe Doritos should just rename them...

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"American mustard" - In Britain this is simply a way to say the lowest-quality mustard possible.

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An "American bathroom" - Apparently, in Malta, this is a term for a bedroom with a shower in it. Why is this American exactly? 

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An "American wake" - In the 19th and early 20th centuries, when an Irish person emigrated to America their families would throw a "wake" party because they would likely never see them again.

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An "American fridge" - In Britain, large refrigerators with side-by-side doors are seen as American-style.

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A "Big America" burger - Burgers again huh? In Israel, this is the name of the largest hamburger available on the McDonald's menu. 

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An "American joke" - In Japan, this is used to describe a common joke. 

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An "American dog" - In Japan, while a hot dog is called a "hottodoggu," a corndog is called an "Amerikandoggu."

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An "American placemat" -

In Italy, placemats or "tiny tablecloths" are called, "Tovagliette all'Americana."

See some other hilarious misfires with Things America does better than Europe.  

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