There is an interesting story or reasoning behind every word that we use in our daily lives. These often include popular food items that we enjoy, like subs. But have you ever wondered why sandwiches are called subs?
It is said that sandwiches are called subs because the long bread used in the creation of this food item resembles that of a submarine. Depending on the region, these sandwiches go by other names.
Keep reading below as we dive into the history of sandwiches and their etymology.
History of the Submarine Sandwich
To begin, a sub sandwich can be any type of sandwich that is prepared using bread that is shaped like a long cylindrical tube. Instead of using regular bread or rolls, these delicious sandwiches are made with “Sub buns,” as they are commonly referred to.
The sub bun can trace its roots back to Italian American communities, where it was first used to serve Italian sandwiches. This particular sandwich made use of a large sub bread and was stuffed with a selection of different sorts of deli meats. The generic sub sandwich evolved from regional variations on the Italian sandwich as its popularity spread.
Despite popular belief, advertisements for the sub sandwich circulated prior to the onset of World War II. In fact, the sandwich’s rise to fame occurred during the war.
Why Are Sandwiches Called Subs?
Subs are distinguished both by their appearance and the manner in which they are assembled. A sub contains one cylindrical section of bread that wraps around the contents from the sides, as opposed to having two independent slices of bread on the top and bottom of the sandwich. Rather than being served on the traditional two pieces of sliced and crusted bread, subs are presented on long rolls.
The name “submarine sandwich” originates from the outward presentation of a submarine. The long form reminds people of the underwater sea vessel, and the name has stuck since the first time it was used. But you’ll probably hear it referred to by a variety of names, depending on where you live. People who are passionate about sandwiches may refer to them as “grinders” or “spuckies” in some parts of the country, in addition to the terms “hero” and “hoagie.”
Many individuals don’t agree that subs are sandwiches, despite the fact that the definition of a sandwich includes subs. A lot of individuals argue that there is a clear distinction.
Subs are characterized by their distinctive, elongated shape. On the other hand, sandwiches are made up of two pieces of bread, one on top of the other, with fillings placed in the middle. Many people envision sandwiches stacked in a tower. Meanwhile, subs are laid out horizontally.
Sandwiches Similar to Subs
Similar to how Italian communities were the birthplace of the Italian sub, several groups around the world are responsible for the development of other types of sandwiches.
The Hoagie
The first hoagies appeared in 1953 in Philadelphia. The first hoagie was created after a special delivery of meat and bread to the island of Hog Island, where the ingredients were combined with deli bread.
Various communities have adopted different variations of the name hoagie. In the beginning, this sandwich was known as the Hog Island sandwich; however, as time went on, its name was shortened, and after being spoken in a variety of ways, the word hoagie was chosen.
Philadelphia’s hoagies grew so popular that they eventually became regarded as “the sandwich of the state.” These days, hoagies are available in a wide variety of variations, with the Philly Cheesesteak Hoagie being one of them. In fact, the Philly Cheesesteak Hoagie is among the most famous sandwiches in the world. Although it wasn’t invented until a little while later, this hoagie gained popularity at the same rapid rate as the traditional hoagie did.
As several distinct variants of this sandwich gained popularity, a growing number of businesses emerged to meet the demand from customers to purchase these sandwiches. Philadelphia is the birthplace of sandwich businesses like Tony Luke’s, which expanded the city’s access to cheesesteak hoagies and other types of sandwiches.
Tony Lukes was formerly a local sandwich business that specialized in cheesesteaks and other sandwiches. The restaurant’s success paralleled that of its signature subs. Tony Luke’s has grown from its humble beginnings into the well-known business it is today.
The Hero
The hero sub, first introduced in 1937, quickly became a city staple in New York. The hero and the Italian sandwich shared a similar flavor profile for some time, which helped to maintain the strong connection between the two. The meatball hero is essentially the same thing as the meatball sub as we know it today, and you can find it for sale in many sandwich places across the city of New York.
The Grinder
The grinder’s origins can be traced back to the New England region, where it was given its name. Historically, “grinder” referred to a “hot sandwich.” It is essentially a sub that contains a filling that has been re-heated and is served at a warm temperature.
Meat grinders like those used for making meatballs and sausages are good examples. The grinder is more of an informal term than a real one because it simply describes how hot the fillings are.
The Spukie
The Greater Boston area is credited as being the birthplace of this sandwich. It derives from the Italian term spuccadella, which literally translates to “long roll.” Simply put, this sandwich is made by placing Italian meats in the center of a long roll that has been cut horizontally.
In today’s day and age, there are still certain bakeries and delis in the Boston area that provide spukie sandwiches. However, this sandwich’s appeal never quite matched that of the hoagie or Italian sub.
What Are Sandwiches Called in England?
This depends on your understanding of the term “sandwich.” The backstory is generally well known:
It is commonly believed that John Montague, 4th Earl of Sandwich (1718–1792), was the one who came up with the concept of the sandwich; however, it is perhaps more accurate to claim that his cook came up with the idea in order to satisfy the following demand from the earl:
“Ensure that my dinner doesn’t get in the way of my card game.”
According to the legend, he was served sliced beef sandwiched between two pieces of bread (or possibly toast), and from that point forward, people began referring to this dish as a sandwich. (He was a nobleman; there was no way he was going to give the credit to a lowly servant.)
After some time, the noun “sandwich” began to be used as a verb as well. To “sandwich” anything means to place it between two other objects and press them together.
Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the term “sandwich” has evolved to be used more generally to refer to any food in which one food item is sandwiched between two other food items.
However, in England, the term “sandwich” is typically solely used to refer to food that is sandwiched between two slices of sliced bread (or toast) in its original form.
Conclusion
It’s always fun to find out about the amazing histories of various words. If you were previously wondering why sandwiches are called subs, we hope our detailed article provided you with the information you were looking for.
