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The French call the English "Rosbif' because originally the English roasting style (spit roasting) became very fashionable with the wealthy French elite. The French couldn't do it properly and employed English roasters in their households in the 18th century.

Since then the term has taken on a mildly derogatory meaning, simply meaning an Englishman. No more derogatory than the English calling the French 'Frogs' though, I suppose.

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13y ago

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