It's primarily used in the Philadelphia area and surrounding regions, but its usage extends to other parts of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.
Here's a breakdown:
* Submarine sandwich: A long, cylindrical sandwich made on a long roll with fillings inside.
* Hero: A synonym for submarine sandwich, often used in New York City.
* Grinder: A synonym for submarine sandwich, often used in New England.
So, essentially, a hoagie is just a fancy name for a long sandwich. 😄