Why do people in the NorthEastern part of the USA call a sub a grinder? Where did that originate from?

Answer 1

"Grinder" isn't general to the whole Northeast -- that's why you're getting people on here saying that they don't say it. "Grinder" is specific to a smaller area, which basically covers all of Connecticut and part of Mass. (I don't know about Rhode Island, sorry).

I am from right in the middle of that area. Trust me when I say that we never called grinders anything different than that! It wasn't self-conscious or "slang" or anything-- it's just what you call it. From elementary school at lunch when you see the menu it says "Meatball grinder" etc etc :)
And when you buy rolls at the supermarket deli, the package says "grinder rolls."

I heard a theory that said this type of sandwich was invented in Groton, CT, which is one of (if not the) biggest submarine bases in the U.S. The sailors ate them. Well, that makes sense that they would be called "subs" for that reason, but I don't know why grinders -- honestly, we never called them "subs" (in my 30+ years) before "Subway" brought it's mass-market crap.

I always thought it was "grinder" because you "grind" them with your teeth.

Keep in mind also that "grinder" properly means a certain kind of sandwich to us...typically one that is HOT and preferably has ITALIAN type of toppings: meatball, egglplant parm, veal parm, salami, etc

Answer 2

Saw a bio on Emeril the other night. He grew up in Fall River, Mass and referenced the snadwich as a grinder.
I call it a hero, from NJ originally.
Philly they say sub.

So many name. Just part of the culture.

Answer 3

a grinder was originally made by Italian immigrants for the workers at the shipyards that ground down the rivets on large ships. they would grill the subs and offer this hot meal to the "grinders" on their breaks. This being their roots is where the grinder got its name.

Answer 4

You know, I always grew up in New England and called them subs. A lot of times you'll see them called grinders, but to be honest I don't know one person who would actually say they are "going out to buy a grinder", everyone I know would say sub. I guess it depends on where you grow up though. Same thing with soda/cola/pop/etc

Answer 5

hoagie Amer.Eng. (initially Philadelphia) "hero, super sandwich created from a protracted, split roll," initially hoggie (c.1936), traditionally stated to be named for super Band songwriter Hoagland Howard "Hoagy" Carmichael (1899-1981), yet using the be conscious pre-dates his celebrity and the unique spelling looks to signify yet another source. cutting-ingredient spelling is c.1945, and can have been altered with the aid of impression of Carmichael's nickname. hoa·gie additionally hoa·gy (h?'g?) A Submarine sandwich n. pl. hoa·gies principally Pennsylvania & New Jersey See submarine. See interior of reach notice at submarine. Submarine Sandwich a brilliant sandwich alongside with a protracted roll split lengthwise and crammed with layers of meat, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, and condiments. additionally stated as sub1; additionally stated as domestically Cuban sandwich, grinder, hero, hoagie, Italian sandwich, adverse boy, torpedo, wedge, zep. I my section, North Carolina, they're stated as 'subs" additionally, right here, Hoagies talk over with strictly chilly cut back sandwiches on a split bun Subs might nicely be warm or chilly, and the bun is divided vertically particularly than horizontal!!

Answer 6

I am from the north east and we call hoogies sub's and we make a lot of them I guess. Stryker, ur stupid!

Answer 7

Well, they DO look like the grinding stone used on a metat to grind corn by hand... perhaps that's the reason.

Answer 8

Because people from the north east are stupid. Hey, it happens