POTATOES

[Gill]

What is the difference between the words for potato:

Kartoushka and Kartofel.

Also, I have asked for Kartoushaka Frie (Chips/French Fries) and been corrected by being told that it's either Kartofel or Frie Kartoushka. Which is correct?

[Pollyanna]

Kartoushka is more casual word: Pachom eta kartochka? - "How much does this potato cost?" (in a market)

Kartofel is less casual, it is used in news, textbooks, articles etc: Kartofel' papulyaren v padsobnyh hazyaistvah - Potato is popular in personal subsidiary plots. (in Internet news)

Chips/French Fries are an exception. I have never heard "Frie Kartoushka", but "Kartofel' frie" is definitely correct. I always say "Kartofel' frie" and people around as well.