You Say ‘Po' Boy', I Say Poor Boy

The decision to order either a poor boy sandwich or a po-boy sandwich in New Orleans transmits a surprising amount of cultural baggage. Most New Orleanians are accustomed to saying po-boy and seeing the French bread sandwich name written in its contracted form on signs and menus. When someone such as local food guru Tom Fitzmorris insists upon saying poor boy, the original term, he invites ridicule for being an elitist.