Greg, yes, I did mean cold boiled potatos. Amos has a fine overview there.

Here in Atlantic Canada, it was a means of using leftovers, usually for breakfast.

Personally, if you're gonna shred or grate raw potatos for frying, I prefer making them into latkes(sp?), adding an egg, a grated onion, a sprinkle of flour, pan-frying in a cm. of oil (drop large spoonfuls in pan, flatten slightly). Drain and serve hot with sour cream and apple sauce.