Lord Sandwich

Saw an article about the “inventor” of the sandwich, Lord Sandwich – so checked out his Wikipedia page.

The modern sandwich is named after Lord Sandwich, but the exact circumstances of its invention and original use are still the subject of debate. A rumour in a contemporary travel book called Tour to London by Pierre Jean Grosley formed the popular myth that bread and meat sustained Lord Sandwich at the gamblingtable.^[21] A very conversant gambler, Lord Sandwich did not take the time to have a meal during his long hours playing at the card table. Consequently, he would ask his servants to bring him slices of meat between two slices of bread; a habit well known among his gambling friends. Because John Montagu was the Earl of Sandwich others began to order “the same as Sandwich!” – the ‘sandwich’ was born.

Never realised it was named after a person.

But what I really liked was this part:

In a famous exchange with the actor Samuel Foote, Sandwich declared, “Foote, I have often wondered what catastrophe would bring you to your end; but I think, that you must either die of the pox, or the halter.” “My lord”, replied Foote instantaneously, “that will depend upon one of two contingencies; — whether I embrace your lordship’s mistress, or your lordship’s principles.”

Wonderful!