Lets make one thing clear first – the sandwich has nothing to do with sand, although it has a distinct connection with island life. A long time back, the Hawaiian islands were called the “The Sandwich Islands”. Back in those days, their ruler was John Montague – 4th Earl of Sandwich (1718-1792). Montague was well known for his love of gambling, and would refuse to take breaks even for meals. To be un-interrupted in his gambling sessions, he invented the sandwich. Montague would bid the waiter to bring him a piece of ham between two slices of bread, which he would eat without stopping his play.
The name “sandwich” is credit to the Earl of Sandwich – but I am sure that people have been tucking in bits of cheese and meat in bread well before his time.
