BETA
Chapter 1
The origin of New Jersey's favorite meat
Chapter 2
The geographical divide of the name war
Chapter 3
The science, cooking, and culinary culture
YOUR GOAL
Master of Pork roll versus Taylor ham
Ch 2 · The geographical divide of the name war
diegoplays Map local breakfast orders to discover where Taylor Ham becomes Pork Roll.
diegoplays New Jersey Pork Roll War
In North Jersey, it's always 'Taylor Ham,' but cross that line south, it's just 'Pork Roll,' understand? One New Jersey delicacy, two different ways to call it.
diegoplays Diners use specific terms to signal their regional allegiance to customers.
diegoplays Researchers have mapped the exact linguistic border where the terminology shifts.
Fun Fact
Presidential neutrality: In 2016, President Barack Obama gave a speech at Rutgers University but refused to declare a winner in the name war.
Glossary
isogloss (noun)
A line on a map marking the geographical boundary of a specific linguistic feature. This boundary roughly follows the Raritan River, dividing northern Taylor Ham speakers from southern pork roll traditionalists.
A line on a map marking the geographical boundary of a specific linguistic feature. This boundary roughly follows the Raritan River, dividing northern Taylor Ham speakers from southern pork roll traditionalists.
Quiz
Which major university did President Obama visit when he addressed the pork roll debate in 2016?
Quiz
Why do New Jersey politicians usually avoid taking a definitive stance on the naming debate?
Quiz
In which New Jersey county does the linguistic transition between the two terms primarily occur?
Quiz
What classic three-ingredient breakfast sandwich is the focal point of the New Jersey naming debate?
Quiz
Which New Jersey river is traditionally considered the dividing line between North and South Jersey naming conventions?
Quiz
According to linguistic surveys, south of which major New Jersey interstate highway does 'Pork Roll' dominate?
Quiz
Which U.S. President famously refused to take a side in the Jersey name war during a 2016 speech?