Sammy

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An informal word, used mainly in Australia and New Zealand, for a sandwich made from bread wrapped around a filling
2. Slang used chiefly in Australia and New Zealand for a snack of two slices of bread with meat, cheese or other fillings
3. A casual term in parts of Australia and New Zealand meaning a sandwich, usually made with bread and a savoury filling

Etymology: "Sammy" is Australian slang for a sandwich, and its own history is murky. It is an extended form of "sam," which carries the same meaning but whose origin is doubtful. One suggested source is a word beginning with the prefix "sam-," though no firm link has been established. Much clearer is the origin of "sammy" as a clipping. It is formed from "sandwich" cut down to "sand-" and given the diminutive ending "-y," a common pattern in Australian and British slang for shortening and affectionately renaming everyday words.

Synonyms: sandwich, sarnie