Hero Sandwich Definition & Meaning

Definition

Regionalisms

Etymology

Examples

Synonyms hero sandwich American

noun

1. a large sandwich, usually consisting of a small loaf of bread or long roll cut in half lengthwise and containing a variety of ingredients, as meat, cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes.

Regionalisms

The terms hero sandwich and hero, once largely associated with the New York City and Northern New Jersey area, are now too widely spread to warrant a specific regional label. This same sandwich is also called a submarine or a sub, especially in Northeastern and North Midland U.S. English, although this use has spread south along the Atlantic coast and as far west as Los Angeles. torpedo, though less common, has also spread to various regions. The sandwich is called a grinder, chiefly in New England and the Inland North, though this use has spread to the South and West. Spuky is restricted to the Boston area, while wedge is a common synonym in Rhode Island and coastal Connecticut. Hoagy (or hoagie ) is used chiefly in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, especially Philadelphia, though it too has spread to other regions. Poor boy (or poboy ) is chiefly New Orleans use, originally referring to a somewhat different sandwich in which distinct sections of fillings represented the courses of a meal. Cuban sandwich, usually referring to a grilled sandwich with ham, pork, cheese, etc., is chiefly used in Southern Florida as well as the New York City area.

Etymology

Origin of hero sandwich

An Americanism dating back to 1950–55

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Layering cheese first in this Italian hero sandwich keeps the bread dry and fluffy.

From New York Times

Smart's piquant gibes provide comedy meat in this sorrowful hero sandwich, and it's a flavor that shouldn't work here but it does.

From Salon

Two weeks earlier, a sea gull clutching an entire hero sandwich landed near their lawn.

From New York Times

Now he’s turned his attention to the Italian hero sandwich.

From Los Angeles Times

They died quickly, “the way a hero sandwich dies in the garment district at twelve o’clock in the afternoon,” as the poet Pinero put it.

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.