barbecue
Not BBQ. Not bar-be-que. Not bar-b-que. It is always barbecue, unless it is in the context of a restaurant name, in which case we should honor that spelling.
Barbecue vs. grilling
Barbecue and grilling are not interchangeable. As ‘cue heads are quick to point out, “barbecue is a noun.” Barbecue is slow-cooked, smoked meat. Grilling involves cooking food on a grate over direct or indirect heat.
Avoid using barbecue when you mean grilling.
Avoid using barbecue as a catch-phrase for an outdoor party that involves grilling; use cookout instead.
