Food & Cooking2010 - 2024
Fact #66 of 99

Bizzare Facts

Bizarre Fact:
A single strand of spaghetti is called a 'spaghetto'.

Quick Explanation:

In Italian, 'spaghetti' is the plural form, while the singular suffix is '-o'.

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The Full Story:

We almost always eat pasta in groups, so we use the plural names: spaghetti, ravioli, panini. But in **Italian grammar**, the 'i' ending usually denotes a plural masculine noun, while the 'o' ending denotes the singular. Therefore, if you were to hold up just one individual noodle, it is technically a **spaghetto**.

The same rule applies to other favorites: one ravioli is a **raviolo**, one panini is a **panino**, and one salami is a **salame**. Using the plural 'paninis' (as we often do in English) is technically saying 'sandwicheses,' a linguistic redundancy that would make an Italian nonna cringe.

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A single strand of spaghetti is called a 'spaghetto'. - Bizarre Fact | Schoolyard Myths