spuds – n. an informal name for potato

nickname – n. a usually descriptive name given instead of or in addition to the one belonging to a person, place, or thing

empire – n. a group of territories or peoples under one ruler

staple – n. the chief part of something : "Potatoes are the staple of their diet."

uNPRetentious – adj. not having or showing the unpleasant quality of people who want to be regarded as more impressive, successful, or important than they really are

beefy – adj. heavily and powerfully built

down-to-earth – adj. practical and sensible

controversial – adj. relating to or causing much discussion, disagreement, or argument

have bigger fish to fry – phrase have other (or more important) matters to attend to

trivial – adj. of little worth or importance