sandwich

 
Pronunciation: /ˈsan(d)wɪdʒ, -wɪtʃ/

noun

  • 1an item of food consisting of two pieces of bread with a filling between them, eaten as a light meal: a ham sandwich
  • British a sponge cake of two or more layers with jam or cream between.
  • something that is constructed like or has the form of a sandwich.
  • 2 [as modifier] British relating to a sandwich course: the degree includes a sandwich year

verb

[with object] (usually be sandwiched between)
  • insert or squeeze (someone or something) between two other people or things, typically in a restricted space or so as to be uncomfortable: the girl was sandwiched between two burly men in the back of the car

Phrases

the meat (or filling) in the sandwich

a person who is awkwardly caught between two opposing factions: she was fed up of being the meat in the sandwich of everyone’s feud

a sandwich (or two sandwiches) short of a picnic

see short.

Origin:

mid 18th century: named after the 4th Earl of Sandwich (1718–92), an English nobleman said to have eaten food in this form so as not to leave the gaming table

Spelling help

Remember that sandwich is spelled with a d after the n; the ending is -ich (it is named after the 4th Earl of Sandwich).