The word “Pizza” was recorded in English in the early 1800s. English lexicographer John Florio described the pizza as “a small cake or wafer” in his 1598 Italian-English dictionary. The word “pizza” comes from Italian. Some think the Greek pitta (pita, or “bran bread”) is the source of the word. Others say it is from the Langubardic (an ancient German language in northern Italy) bizzo, meaning “bite”.
The modern pizza-an open-faced pie filled with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese-was first made by baker Raffaele Esposito in Naples. In 1889, he made a patriotic pie topped with mozzarella, basil, and tomatoes, ingredients in the colours of the Italian flag, in honour of king Umberto and Queen Margherita’s visit. It is said the Queen enjoyed the pie, and the dish has since been known as Margherita. In the U.S., Italian immigrants sold pizza in their stores, and the first pizzeria was opened in 1905 by Gennaro Lombardi on Spring Street in New York City. During World War II. American and European soldiers stationed in Italy tasted pizza and continued to eat it when they returned home.
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