egg roll
• noun
North American A cylindrical, savory Chinese-American appetizer consisting of a thick, wheat-based wrapper filled with shredded cabbage, chopped pork or other meats, and vegetables, deeply fried until crispy and blistered.
"We started our meal with a plate of crispy egg rolls dipped in sweet and sour sauce."
British A simple breakfast sandwich consisting of a fried or scrambled egg served inside a sliced bread roll.
"He grabbed a hot coffee and a bacon and egg roll from the bakery on his way to the construction site."
Word Nuance & Usage
Egg rolls are often confused with spring rolls; however, egg rolls are a distinct Chinese-American invention characterized by a thicker, blistered, deep-fried wrapper, whereas traditional spring rolls feature a thinner, smoother pastry.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.