Italiano
It is known that, in the English language, there are numerous Italian loanwords in the context of cooking.
Not only to indicate proper names of foods but also generic terms such as al dente and barista.
And it is curious how common the word panini became in English.
Literally translated, the word panino (this is the singular form!) means sandwich.
Not really a food that needs exceptional preparations, nor who knows what exotic ingredient…
In Italian, its name is a diminutive, and means “little bread”. A term used for both the empty “bread roll” (or “bun”, if you prefer) and the stuffed sandwich.
But in English? How comes panini is so commonly used (mostly, erroneously, in its plural form also to indicate a single piece)?
Probably to underline that the type of bread used is Italian-style (like ciabatta, for example), or to indicate that the accompaniment (salami, mozzarella, provola, mortadella…) is of Italian origin.
One more thing: the panino is most often grilled with a piece of equipment which nowadays, ironically, is called a panini grill due to its main function!
