"sammies"; was: Becky Mercuri's book American Sandwich

[Cohen, Gerald Leonard]

Yesterday Wilson Gray reacted quizically to the term "sammies" in a message
from sandwich-researcher Becky Mercuri.  I therefore forwarded his message to
her and now share her reply below with ads-l.

Gerald Cohen

        ******************

> Gerald:
>
> Apparently, Mr.Gray is asking about the use of the term "sammies" in the Houston Chronicle article?
>
> I never even questioned the use, since it's a very common term among people I talk to daily - my own area (Western New York State), food writers, chefs, cooks, sandwich fans, and now, of course, we see it's used and likely common (or at least understood) in Houston.
>
> There is reference to the term in the ADSL archives by Barry Popik: item 020543 dated 02/02/24:   SAMMIE--a sandwich.
>
> I would classify it among the other common terms in use for sandwich, including sangwich and sammich. I say "common" because I hear these terms frequently and interchangeably all over the country. In many cases, I think people use the terms deliberately, often because it was part of their childhood vocabulary which, in turn, relates sandwiches to favorite food - perhaps even "comfort food." Maybe these are terms of endearment for the sandwich, a beloved American food that has certainly assumed a position of prominence in our food culture.
>
> I hope this makes sense to you. I am, quite obviously, not a professional when it comes to words and their use, but I do take careful note of what I hear from the public when I'm researching food.
>
> Best,
> Becky
>