Is vegetable shortening and shortening the same?

Not all shortening is oil, but all oil (consumable oil, that is) is shortening. Shortening is another Word for fat used in cooking, especially baking. The most common shortenings are butter and margarine and, to a lesser degree, Crisco. Other oils can be used, too. (And some low-fat recipes substitute Apple sauce or prune butter for traditional fat-based shortenings.)