phrases, sayings, idioms and expressions at

The Phrase Finder
Phrases, Sayings and Idioms Home > Discussion Forum

- We are also on

A Phrase A Week - Facebook Group & Follow aphraseaweek on Twitter

Re: Shepherds pie/cottage pie

Posted by TheFallen on October 11, 2003

In Reply to: Shepherds pie/cottage pie posted by Lotg on October 10, 2003

: Why is a Shepherd's pie called a Shepherd's pie. And as far as I can tell, a Cottage pie is the same thing. So why the different names - it is a dialectic thing? Or am I wrong and these pies are actually different?

: Yes I know this is a very deep, meaningful and heavy question for this time of the morning.

Food for thought. My understanding (backed up by the product marketing department at M&S, a classy British supermarket) is that Shepherd's Pie contains lamb mince, whereas Cottage Pie contains beef mince.