Enjoy every sandwich (or whatever)

[owlmoose]

Wow, the hamburger/sandwich/both question sure provoked a response. I think it's time for a poll.

[Poll #663931]

Comments

[peachespig.livejournal.com]

I said a hamburger is sometimes a sandwich, and what I meant is the following: it is empirically a sandwich, but linguistically is not. That is, almost any definition of sandwich is going to include hamburgers, but I still wouldn't refer to a hamburger as a sandwich. It's like, I don't know - maybe that any scientific definition of "animal" includes humans, but that in conversation we actually use "animal" for everything in that category that isn't human. Not a prefect analogy, but something like that.

[owlmoose.livejournal.com]

I think you have captured the distinction. At least, based on the regional dialects of English that I speak and hear spoken most often.

Clarification

[brokenhut.livejournal.com]

I just thought I'd clarify my responses, cos I imagine that my take is different from others --- I'd guess that most of the people who have taken this poll are from North America somewhere (though I haven't checked) so I thought I'd drop in the opinion of someone from the UK.

That is: a sandwhich requires two slices from a loaf, with a filling in the middle. If you put a burger, or sausages or bacon, in between those slices of bread, then it's still a sandwich.

If there's only one slice of bread (even if that slice is folded back on itself) then it's generally 'a piece'. The filling for a piece is generally some kind of spread. For example, a slice of bread with jam on it is a 'jeely piece'.

How's that for a new perspective? :)

Re: Clarification

[owlmoose.livejournal.com]

I'd guess that most of the people who have taken this poll are from North America somewhere

As far as I know, that is correct. Thanks for the clarification! I really appreciate it. :)