In Australia and New Zealand, fries are commonly called “hot chips” to distinguish them from packaged potato chips.
The wording reflects a broader English-language naming split. In Britain, Australia, and New Zealand, “chips” generally means thick, fried potato pieces, while thin, crunchy packaged snacks are often called crisps or potato chips. In Australia and New Zealand, adding “hot” makes the distinction especially clear when both products may otherwise be called chips.
The term does not describe a special variety of potato or a particular cut. Hot chips can be thin or thick, skin-on or peeled, and may be served with salt, vinegar, gravy, tomato sauce, or—especially in Australia—chicken salt. In New Zealand, “chips” is normally understood from context, but “hot chips” remains a familiar clarifying phrase.
This terminology differs from North American usage, where “fries” usually means fried potato batons and “chips” means the thin, crisp snack. The same word therefore changes meaning depending on the country.