A "Sub" seems to be the universally understood term used to describe a
really large sandwich. Others include Hero, Hoagie, Poor Boy etc., all
of which I have been able to find the supposedly explainations of
their origin. Another word used to describe such a sandwich is
"Grinder", but only in certain parts of CT, NY and NJ. Where did that
word come from and why is it used to describe a sub?

Hello dvation,

Thank you for your question. 

Tough one to find, unlike hero or po'boy, but here ya go!

Rick's Pizza
http://www.vtmenus.com/rickspizza/grinders.asp

"Grinders 

The name Grinder was named after the men who worked the ship building
yards of New Bedford, Massachusetts during WWII.

Local Italian vendors would set up shop near these ship yards and
build overstuffed sandwiches to sell to the men who ground the hot
iron pegs used in the construction of our war ships. They were known
as “The Grinders”. These oversized sandwiches made on fresh homemade
Italian Loaves came to be known as a “Grinder”.

I searched extensively and this is the only mention of the origin of
"grinder". It seems a very feasible explanation.


Search Strategy:

"origin of" OR name +grinder +sub OR sandwich

I trust my research has provided you with your answer. If a link above
should fail to work or anything require further explanation or
research, please do post a Request for Clarification prior to rating
the answer and closing the question and I will be pleased to assist
further.

Regards,

-=clouseau=-

I found essentially the same explanation at this site, complete with a
menu for a grinder shop in Michigan, so that lends additional
credibility to this explanation.

http://www.mammothcave.com/mancino.htm

Oops, that link is to the restaurant in Kentucky, but they do have a
location in Michigan which I found at another site.

Yum, Mancino's!  They have several locations in Toledo, but the
closest one to me is on Lewis Ave., just over the state line in
Temperance, Michigan.

Their "Grinder" history is printed on the side of their cups, and has
been confirmed as the proper origin by the relatively well known Sofo
family - purveyors of fine Italian foods since their immigration to
the US from Italy.

--Missy

perfect! and fast! thanks a million! :)