Talk:cottage pie

Cottage pie synonymous with shepherd's pie

I cannot find any prime reference source to substantiate the use of cottage pie for beef and shepherd's pie for lamb or mutton. Merriam-Webster on line implies that cottage pie is more commonly made with beef but all other sources make it clear that the two terms are and always have been synonymous. Often Stranger Than Fiction 12:10, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

• The OED has - for cottage pie - a dish of minced beef baked under mashed potatoes; also loosely, = shepherd's pie. And for shepherds pie - a pie consisting of chopped meat and potatoes, covered with a crust of mashed potatoes browned.
• The Dictionary of Food and Nutrition has - for shepherd's pie - Dish made from minced lamb or mutton with a crust of mashed potato, baked. Cottage pie is made with minced beef. SemperBlotto 12:14, 20 January 2009 (UTC)

Fascinating! The distinction is very recent. Often Stranger Than Fiction 12:36, 20 January 2009 (UTC)