Machines or tools used for grinding materials into smaller pieces, or large sandwiches (submarine sandwiches).
From Old English 'grindan' meaning to crush or pulverize. The sandwich meaning emerged in New England in the mid-20th century, likely from the hard, crusty bread that required grinding with the teeth.
The dual meaning of grinders perfectly captures American linguistic creativity - the same word describes both industrial machinery and delicious sandwiches, connected by the metaphor of tough, chewy bread requiring serious jaw work.
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