USA & Ireland: Little Differences #16 - Lasagna
A pasta story continues the series of the less celebrated differences between Ireland and the US. It’s one of those tiny things that hits you in the supermarket (grocery store) like a gentle elbow reminding you that you ain’t from ’round these parts.
You say Lasagna, we say Lasagne.
Not earth shattering, but like a former girlfriend stealing a CD, it can cause much inner turmoil that you know will never heal.
The British say Lasagne also, especially when driving on the left-hand side of the road.
But what of the Italians? you ask. Well this isn’t a democracy, there isn’t a casting vote for what’s right and what’s wrong; I’m simply pointing out a little difference between us.
According to my Italian dictionary both words are Italian. Lasagna is singular and Lasagne is plural. And both words apply to the actual pasta as well as to the meal made from the pasta.
It does make me wonder if the American meal should be just a single layer? Empirical evidence in the Midwest would suggest people are eating more than single-layered Lasagna meals.
Wikipedia claims that the Italians generally use the plural form Lasagne, like Ireland and Britain - but then if there is a casting vote perhaps it should go to England and not Italy.
Some Related Irish Stuff:
• Little Differences #11: Pharmaceuticals
• Little Differences #13: Fun
• Little Differences #1: Tennis Balls
• How Do You Find America?
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