Shortening is not a word in use in the UK - I suspect you would get blank looks if you asked where it was kept in the supermarkets.

There are some products labled as vegetable shortening (in small letters) - but it would not really be known as such - vegetarian cooking fat might find it. It would probably be in a specially labled area - vegetarian foods are still not considered 'main stream' in this neck of the woods.

Shortening is not in my ancient pocket Oxford dictionary - the 1947 reprint - though shortbread is, and is universally known - though its etymology would be obscure. Also unlisted is skillet, by the way.

Anne