Alternate Names for Common Kitchen Utensils

When you want to change the channel while watching TV, what gadget do you grab: the remote, channel changer, or clicker? When pulling your hair back into a ponytail, do you reach for a rubber band, a hair tie, or a hair band? When embarking on a road trip, do you pull onto the highway, interstate, or freeway? While watching a Mardi Gras parade, do you stand on the median or neutral ground? And what about the age-old soft drink debate: Do you refer to carbonated beverages as sodas, pops, or—collectively—Cokes? Many everyday terms have a few interchangeable names that can be used as their titles, usually depending on factors like native region, the way Mama says it, or personal preference. Take a look around your kitchen—many of your favorite tools have alternate names too. What do you choose to call your go-to kitchen utensils?

To use when taking a hot casserole out of the oven: oven mitt or pot holder

A container for keeping beverages cold: cooler or ice chest

A pan for baking a crowd-pleasing supper in the oven: rimmed baking sheet, sheet pan, or jelly-roll pan

To rotate burgers on the grill or stove: spatula, flipper, or turner

An insulated sleeve for keeping canned drinks cold: hugger or koozie

To drain cooked pasta: strainer or colander

A set-it-and-forget-it devise for making easy weeknight dinners: Crock-Pot or slow cooker

To whip up a batch of pancakes on Saturday morning: skillet or frying pan

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For setting your green bean casserole on the dinner table: hot plate or trivet

To open a bottle of Chardonnay: wine opener or corkscrew

A tool for making the best-ever scrambled eggs: whisk or beater

For zesting a lemon: Microplane or rasp grater

To store snacks, spices, and your Tupperware collection: pantry or cupboard