What makes a sandwich?

Question

An argument with a friend about what makes a sandwich happened as follows. Martin was was sat in between Joel and Bob. A fourth friend remarked, "look, it's a Joel and Bob sandwich". I replied, "No, it's a Martin sandwich as a ham sandwich refers to what is between the bread and not what is surrounding the filling". My friend reckons that a human sandwich is different and refers to what surrounds the filling. I argued that as it refers to the type of food even a human sandwich should refer to the filling rather than the surround. What does everyone think?

Answer 1

Although the surrounding parts are usually greater in quantity they are only the 'envelope' for the superior filling so the title of the sandwich should always be taken from the filling as it is the superior ingredient.

Answer 2

There are three answers to this.

1) By calling the "bread" by names, you could refer to the bread slices, such as "Wheat and Rye" (1 slice or each kind of bread). This gives you the "its a Joel and Bob sandwich". But that doesnt account for what is in the sandwich other than Joel and Bob surround something.

2) If you want to be more generic about the "bread", then you could use the "bread sandwich" or "bagel sandwich" route where the category of bread is referred to. This would mean you reference your friends with "its a human/man sandwich". Again, no accounting for the filling.

3) Finally if you want to make the human sandwich unique to the situation then your friends could be referred to as "its a Martin on Joel and Bob sandwich", or to simplify, "its a Martin sandwich".

All of these answers are correct, it depends on the context of what you are referring to in the conversation.

Answer 3

I reckon it's a Martin sandwich.. because Martin is the filling.. like all sandwiches.

If it was the other way around, such as a Joel and Bob sandwich.. the same would be for a "bread sandwich." Which is stupid.

A ham sandwich is called a ham sandwich because a ham is the filling. And it distinguishes the filling... it isn't beef, cheese or chicken. But ham.

The same goes for Martin. It's a Martin sarnie... and the sandwich is described by the filling.

Answer 4

No matter humans or bread, I would also say, Look it's a Joel and Bob sandwich, because Martin is in the middle of both Joel and Bob.
This joke and or saying is how it goes; and it has been that way forever.
A sandwich is what goes around what is inside. Martin was in-between (clue word) Joel and Bob. So "LOOK IT IS A JOEL AND BOD SANDWICH". Hee Hee.

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Answer 5

Since I am over 50 I can tell you that a sandwich has always been called by what it is made of not the bread or outer layers. If you go to a restaurant and ask for a sandwich, you would name it such as a ham, turkey, chicken, and etc.

Burritos are made with flour tortillas and originate from Northern Mexico. However in Southern Mexico tacos made with corn tortillas are more popular.



The burrito was invented by Thomas Alva Edison. The first burrito was a flat round ... The first burrito was a flat round bread wrapped ...

Answer 6

Whatever is in the middle is the name of the sandwich. Every sandwich would be called a "bread sandwich" otherwise, which isn't very informative.

If I had a bread sandwich, it would be 3 slices of bread.

I'm on your side for this argument. Filling is the name of the sandwich.

Answer 7

There is absolutely no rule for naming a sandwich. A Hamburger is a sandwich but it doesn't have ham. Its called a Chicago Club but it doesn't refer to anything edible. Also, a panini is a sandwich but doesn't refer to anything in it. Its funny how all the examples I've given are all sandwiches but do not include the word "sandwich" anywhere in the name.

Answer 8

A burrito is not a sandwich, because to make a sandwich you need two slices of bread, and to make a burrito you only need one tortilla.
And it is the bread that makes the sandwich because the sandwich was first invented by a man that enjoyed gambling too much to leave the table, so he told the server to just throw the meat between two pieces of bread so he could eat it with his hands.

Answer 9

The filling is it. I make sub sandwiches and consider myself to be well versed on sandwiches. If it wasn't for the filling how could you describe the sandwich? They're all bread of some form on the outside.

Answer 10

The kind of sandwich you are talking about is the whole deal, the choice of the bread and of course the choice of filling. Ideally they should compliment each other. Try a bread sandwich - two bits of bread with another bit in-between. No butter/mayo etc.