🥪
Sandwich
/ˈsæn.dwɪtʃ/ or /ˈsænd.wɪdʒ/
Definitions
1
Food · Meal
Common
Represents a sandwich, typically shown as two slices of bread with lettuce, tomato, and other fillings. Used to indicate lunch, quick meals, or food preferences.
Commonly used in meal planning, food discussions, and casual conversation about eating habits.
Packed a 🥪 for lunch today. Quick and easy!
Personal messaging
Meeting running late - grab a 🥪 from the deli if you're hungry.
Work chat
The sandwich is a ubiquitous food item across Western cultures, though fillings and bread types vary regionally.
2
Metaphorical · Social
Uncommon
Used metaphorically to describe being compressed or stuck between two things or situations, similar to the idiom "sandwiched between."
Less common than literal food usage; appears in casual conversation about uncomfortable situations.
Feeling like a 🥪 between my demanding boss and difficult clients today.
Social media
Reflects the English-language idiom of being "sandwiched" between competing priorities or people.
Evolution Timeline
2017
Introduced in Unicode 10.0, filling a gap in food emoji options for common lunch items.
Growing demand for everyday food representations beyond burgers and pizza.
2018
Gained popularity in workplace contexts to indicate lunch breaks and meal planning.
Adoption by office workers coordinating lunch plans via messaging apps.
Cultural Context
Named after the Earl of Sandwich who reportedly requested meat between bread to eat while gambling. The emoji reflects this simple yet revolutionary food concept.
Represents convenience food culture and the modern emphasis on portable, quick meals that can be eaten on-the-go or at a desk.
What constitutes a sandwich varies globally: from American PB&J to British cucumber sandwiches to Indian vada pav to Middle Eastern falafel in pita.
Regional Variations
Australia
Often called a 'sanga' in Australian slang. May reference iconic Australian sandwich fillings.
United Kingdom
Often represents simpler sandwiches with fewer fillings. Associated with packed lunches and tea time.
United States
Often used to represent subs, hoagies, or hero sandwiches. Associated with lunch breaks and casual dining.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: Used practically to indicate meal options or food preferences. Often appears in family chat contexts about meal planning.
Gen_Z: Often used alongside other food emojis in meal sharing posts. Frequently appears in TikTok food content and Instagram Stories.
Older: Less frequently used, but when employed typically represents traditional sandwich varieties in literal food contexts.
Millennials: Commonly used in work contexts to indicate lunch breaks or in meal prep discussions. Popular in food delivery app conversations.
Common Combinations
🥪☕
Lunch break or café meal with sandwich and coffee.
Common pairing representing a typical Western lunch or café experience.
🥪🍟
Fast food meal with sandwich and fries.
Represents a typical casual dining or takeaway meal combination.
🥪🥗
Healthy lunch with sandwich and salad.
Often used to indicate balanced eating or meal prep.
🥪🧀
Cheese sandwich or sandwich with extra cheese.
Specifies a popular sandwich variety across Western cultures.