Fish and chips appeared around 1860 and its paternity is split between London and Mossley, Lancashire. Its origins are to be found abroad. The use of fried fish in batter was imported to Great Britain by Jewish refugees who fled from Spain and Portugal, the potatoes come from the Americas and the custom of frying them originated in France.
Since it spread, fish and chips have always been of capital importance in the British diet, and not just for gastronomic reasons. This is not the most dietetic food in the world, but it does provide an adequate supply of proteins, vitamins and minerals, so much so that during the Second World War the government decided not to include it among the rationed foods.