bar-b-que
HighInformal, Colloquial
Definition
Meaning
A method of cooking food, usually meat, over an open fire or on a grill; the event or social gathering at which such food is cooked and eaten.
A style of seasoned, slow-cooked meat associated with specific regional American cuisines; shorthand for a social event centered around grilled food; used as a verb to describe the cooking process.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The variant 'bar-b-que' is a phonetic/casual spelling of 'barbecue'. While the core concept involves cooking with fire/heat, its cultural associations with specific styles (e.g., Texas, Carolina), sauces, and leisurely social events are significant.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
'Barbecue' (and its variants) is used in both, but 'BBQ'/'bar-b-que' is more common in American signage, menus, and casual writing. In the UK, 'barbecue' is the dominant standard spelling; 'BBQ' is also understood. The event is strongly associated with summer in the UK, whereas in the US it is a year-round cooking style and cultural tradition.
Connotations
In the US: strong connotations of regional American food culture, tradition, and specific cooking methods (smoking, grilling). In the UK: primarily connotes a casual outdoor social meal in warm weather, often involving a charcoal or gas grill.
Frequency
The full form 'barbecue' is frequent in both. The clipped form 'BBQ' is very frequent in AmE in brand names and informal contexts. 'Bar-b-que' is a less common phonetic spelling, primarily AmE, often used for stylistic/rustic effect in restaurant names.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to bar-b-que [NP] (We bar-b-qued sausages.)to have/throw/host a bar-b-que[NP] is bar-b-qued (The pork is beautifully bar-b-qued.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Where's the bar-b-que? (humorous: commenting on a situation that is a disaster or 'burning')”
- “Everything but the kitchen sink went on the bar-b-que. (meaning a wide variety of things were cooked)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in hospitality/tourism (e.g., 'a bar-b-que-themed restaurant', 'summer bar-b-que promotion').
Academic
Extremely rare; may appear in cultural or anthropological studies of food.
Everyday
Very common in informal spoken and written communication, especially related to social plans, food, and summer.
Technical
Not used. Culinary professionals use terms like 'smoking', 'grilling', 'low-and-slow cooking'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We're going to bar-b-que some burgers in the garden if it stays sunny.
- He bar-b-ques a mean piece of salmon.
American English
- I'll bar-b-que the brisket for twelve hours.
- They bar-b-qued chicken wings for the game.
adverb
British English
- Not typically used as an adverb.
American English
- Not typically used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- She made a lovely bar-b-que dip for the crisps.
- We need more bar-b-que charcoal.
American English
- This bar-b-que sauce is too sweet for my taste.
- He's a well-known bar-b-que chef from Memphis.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We ate bar-b-que at the park.
- I like bar-b-que chicken.
- Let's have a bar-b-que next Saturday if the weather is good.
- This restaurant is famous for its bar-b-que ribs.
- The distinct smokiness of properly bar-b-qued pork comes from hours of slow cooking over wood.
- They've invited half the neighbourhood to their annual summer bar-b-que.
- The debate over which region produces the most authentic bar-b-que is a perennial feature of American culinary discourse.
- Having bar-b-qued the beef short ribs using a traditional Korean marinade, she achieved a perfect fusion of flavours.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine the letters BBQ as three pieces of meat on a grill: the round Bs are burgers, the Q is a coiled sausage.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL GATHERING IS A BARBECUE (e.g., 'The meeting was a real barbecue' implying it was informal, heated, or involved mixing).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating directly as 'шашлык' (shashlik), which is specifically skewered meat. 'Bar-b-que' is a broader concept. 'Барбекю' is a common loanword, but the cultural context differs.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling: 'barbeque', 'bar-b-q'. Confusing 'bar-b-que' (noun/verb) with just 'grill' (the equipment). Using it as a formal term.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely meaning of 'bar-b-que' in American English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a common informal, phonetic spelling of 'barbecue', often used for stylistic effect (e.g., in restaurant names). The standard dictionary spellings are 'barbecue' or 'barbeque'.
In general use, they are often synonymous. Technically, 'grilling' is cooking quickly with high heat directly over coals/flame, while 'barbecuing' (in the US tradition) often implies slower cooking with indirect heat and smoke.
Yes, commonly. E.g., 'I will bar-b-que the steaks.' Its past tense is typically 'bar-b-qued'.
By strong convention, yes. The core idea involves an open flame, smoke, and an informal, social atmosphere, all of which are associated with outdoor settings. Indoor electric grills are sometimes called 'contact grills' or 'grill pans', not typically 'bar-b-ques'.