No Fuss, No Muss: Ketchup vs. Catsup

Mr. Burns: Ketchup. Catsup. Ketchup. Catsup. K- K- Oh, I’m in way over my head.
Store Guy 1: He’s, uh, talking to the ketchup now. Burns is sure acting nutty.
Store Guy 2: Maybe going broke and losing his plant destroyed his brain. Could you come along with us, sir?
Mr. Burns: Are you here to solve my ketchup problem?
Store Guy 1: Yes. That’s right.
Mr. Burns: Wh-Where are you taking me? What’s happening?
Chief Wiggum: Relax. You’ve gone off your nut so we’re stuffing you into an old folks’ home. Those, uh, store guys signed the commitment papers.
– The Old Man and the Lisa
The Simpsons | Season 8 - Episode 21
There are numerous articles about the difference between Ketchup and Catsup on the internet. Two things that I learned after reading these articles are:
- There is no real difference between Ketchup and Catsup
- Everyone references Mr. Burns Ketchup vs. Catsup confusion in their writing because the scene is hilarious
Personally, I was raised eating Heinz Ketchup and I’ll die eating Heinz Ketchup so my allegiance is clear. I like to think of Catsup as “Non-Heinz brand tomato, sugar, onion, salt, cinnamon based sauce” and that helps me keep things straight. I guess that wouldn’t look very attractive on a bottle label though. Also, Catsup is apparently not sold at my local grocery store.
Incidentally, Smithers actually wanted Catsup based on his grocery list:
So I’m left to conclude the Catsup is preferred by people like him…you know, Personal Assistants.
Cromulence: (Ketchup NOT Catsup) 10 Adorable Little Ragamuffins out of 10
No Fuss, No Muss Ketchup vs. Catsup From: The Old Man and the Lisa (The Simpsons Season 8 – Episode 21)
I think we should be putting anyone eating catsup in an old folks home. If we happen to put some children in accidentally, it’s their own fault really.
Well considering that ketchup is now technically a vegetable in the US I’m sure children will gladly call it ketchup over catsup if that means they don’t have to eat broccoli.