W10: Anatomy of a Sandwich

sand-wich
noun.

two or more slices of bread or the like with a layer of meat, fish, cheese, etc., between each pair. 

Actually, I think Dictionary.com is pretty spot-on with their attempt at a definition. It's pretty close to what I would say. "Sandwich," to me, is like a broad term ... almost like a species name. All cats are felines. So are lions and tigers. All grilled cheese sandwiches are, well, sandwiches. But so are paninis and hamburgers. And if you go to Bagel St. Deli, you're pretty much getting a sandwich, bagel-style.

I think the main component in order to qualify for the "sandwich" family would be two slices of something from the bread family with something in the middle. Break it down more and you get subsets of subs, paninis, breakfast bagel sandwiches, even the god-awful McRib.

The second component of sandwichdom is how you eat it. 

A hot dog is not a sandwich. Neither is a quesadilla.

They're not eaten like sandwiches, with a grasp on both sides in preparation for that satisfying first bite. Hot dogs are put between two bread-like things (buns) and even sometimes wrapped in slices of bread, but they're just not nommed on like the typical burger or sub. Likewise, the quesadilla is often sliced differently and either smothered in some sort of sauce or dipped in one. 

The "wrap" family - tacos, quesadillas, snack wraps from Wendys - those aren't sandwiches. Sandwich cousins, maybe.

The black sheep of the sandwich family? The ice cream sandwich. Does it count as a sandwich because the label says so, even though most of them look more like a glorified Oreo (also not a sandwich)? It's a tricky, hybrid beast- like a platypus. Or something.

Or maybe it's more of a knock-off brand. A Zune to the ham and cheese's iPod.

Some things try to be sandwiches, but they just aren't. Two crackers with cheese in the middle? Not a sandwich. Whoopie pies? Enh, not a sandwich. Some "chicken and waffle" abomination offered on Union Street? Please God, not a sandwich.

Obviously the definition of a sandwich will vary from person to person. I like to think I fall in the "Panera, Subway, on-the-grill, some-bagel-exceptions" category. 

Now excuse me while I go make myself a sammich. ---