…to ask why the Filet o’Fish is a mark of cringe?

[girljulian]

Lighthearted, but I read on a recent “ick” thread that someone was at McDonald’s with a man and he ordered a Filet o’Fish, which killed her attraction to him. This reminded me of an old video I saw of Benedict Cumberbatch doing a fond impression of Tom Hiddleston in which he had him order “a Filet o’Fish, if you still do those.” I am getting the impression that ordering a Filet o’Fish is peak cringe, but googling “what is so uncool about the Filet o’Fish” is getting me nowhere.

Someone explain the lore to me??

The only thing I could come up with myself was that maybe it’s a holdover from a time when many vegetarians ate fish and vegetarianism was also considered unmasculine, so ordering one indicates that you’re an effeminate vegetarian; and/or simply it’s cringe because it’s “unmanly” not to eat red meat. Is that it??

IANBU: it’s holdover cringe because of outdated ideas about meat and masculinity

IABU: you’re about to tell me the real mysterious reason

Try one and you'll find out

I saw the same comment and also didn't understand!

I always order them! Love them. I don’t get it.

I’ve never had one but was under the impression that it’s basically a fish finger sandwich?

Because it's just a joke menu item in popular culture I think? It's normally viewed as a bit disgusting / dodgy to order a fish burger from McDonald's in conversations I've had 😂

It is … but it’s a great fish finger sandwich 😀

I love them. Never heard of any ick about them?

Years ago I seem to remember Jack Dee doing a mocking impression of someone ordering one...

I like them, and when I make a fishfinger sandwich at home I try to recreate it... the cheese single plus tartare sauce almost makes it work...

In USA this isn’t a weird item. It’s way nicer than that UK. FYI 😂

For me it’s the comedy faux fancy name, with the French “filet” pronunciation and the ‘o

I had my first Fillet O Fish last year, it was really very nice.

I don't know why they'd give anyone the ick.

My MIL always orders one.
'nuff said.

I've been veggie for 40+ years, long before McDonald's came to my town, so have never read the meaty bits of a McDonald's menu and didn't know that they did anything fishy.

But fillet of fish still makes me laugh because it makes me think of Family Fortunes.

I always say 'fillet of fish' but I think they are tasty. Better than most of the food at McDonald's!

I think it's because it's seen as a bit naff and dated (like a comedy I saw recently where a man tried to order a Lilt in a pub).

I do like Lilt and Filets though.

I've not had one in donkeys but Aldi do a fish burger that is delicious in a bun with tartare sauce, just like a filet o fish as I remember them 😋

Filet o’fish for my wiiife!

This sounds like a reference vital to the Lore but I don’t know it! Explain the reference!

You’ll be waiting ages if you order one!

Oh! DH and I sniggered unkindly at David Beckham in a documentary when he ordered a ‘filay o’ fish’. And now I find out that’s the real pronunciation. Sorry David!

I was thinking this - is it just people taking the mick out of that 80s ad? My friends used to. The way he said it.

Yes, I've never tried it, but the cringe factor must surely be in the name!

It was an advert for Maccie’s in the 80s! Chap with a big bushy beard asking for a “filet o’fish for my wiiife” in a Scandinavian type accent. Presume he had to specify it was for his wife as otherwise he would have appeared lacking in manliness.

I think this it - just call it a fish burger when you order it because that is what is.
Saying Fillet O Fish is both ridiculous - because it isn't that - and bowing down to the dictates of 'the man' (ie McDonalds).

don't get the hate. I love me a fillet o fish