Who taught: Mike

Sub (source: http://www.new-jersey-leisure-guide.com/)

Have you read my old post about ordering a sub sandwich? If not, check it out! As you can notice, it has been more than two years and now I learned a new thing about it.

When it comes to names of things, you do not question it because it is just what it is and how it is called. So, I have not really questioned why sub sandwich is called sub.

A few days ago, I had a chance to talk to Mike. He has a whiteboard in his office and there was one thing that caught my eyes.

“Sub -> Submarines”

I asked him, “What is that?” He said, it is about why sub sandwich is called sub. And he went on, saying “It is because sub sandwich looks like submarine.”

I never thought about it. Interestingly, he also told me that people in Boston or New England area do not call it sub. Instead they call it “grinder.” The reason being that it needs a lot of chewing (grinding) to eat.

I have never been to Boston but I will definitely visit the city soon. You know what one of my plans is? I am going to go to a restaurant where they sell grinders and order one but I will not say I want a grinder. I will say, “I want to order a sub.” What would be their reaction? Do you think they would understand? I doubt but it will be fun. Ahh…. the joy of learning another language. 🙂

P.S.: I will update you later with what happened in Boston.