Pizza is one of the most beloved foods in America, but have you ever heard someone—perhaps an older relative or a classic pizzeria owner—refer to it as a “pizza pie”? While most people today simply say “pizza,” the phrase “pizza pie” has a long history, especially in New York, New Jersey, and among Italian-American communities.
But where did this term come from? After all, in Italy, no one calls it a “pizza pie”—it’s just “pizza.” The phrase is uniquely American, shaped by immigration, linguistics, marketing, and cultural evolution.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into the origins of the term, explore its historical and linguistic roots, and determine whether Americans still use it today.
Table of Contents
The Origins of the Word “Pizza”
Before we can understand “pizza pie,” we need to look at where the word “pizza” itself comes from.
Historians believe that “pizza” has roots in Latin, Old Italian, and even Greek languages. Some theories suggest:
- It may have come from the Latin word “pinsa,” meaning “flatbread” or “to press down.”
- Another theory links it to an Old Italian word meaning “pointed” or “baked bread.”
- Some even trace it to the Greek word “pita,” which refers to a type of flatbread.
The first known written record of “pizza” appears in 997 AD in a small Italian town called Gaeta. However, the modern pizza we know today—with tomato sauce, cheese, and toppings—didn’t develop until the 18th century in Naples, Italy.
The Introduction of Pizza to America
How Did Pizza Arrive in the U.S.?
Pizza was brought to the United States by Italian immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Large Italian communities settled in cities like New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia, bringing their food traditions with them.
The First American Pizzerias
The first documented pizzeria in the U.S. was Lombardi’s in New York City, founded in 1905. At that time, pizza was mostly sold in Italian neighborhoods and was considered an ethnic food rather than an American staple.
After World War II, American soldiers returning from Italy had developed a taste for pizza. This skyrocketed its popularity, and by the 1950s and 1960s, pizza became mainstream across the country.
But how did “pizza” become “pizza pie”? That’s where language and culture come into play.
The Influence of Italian Immigrants on the Term “Pizza Pie”
When Italian immigrants came to America, they often translated their native words into English to help others understand their food and traditions.
- In Italy, pizza is just “pizza” and is never referred to as a “pie.”
- However, in English, savory, round, baked dishes that are sliced were often referred to as pies (like apple pie, pot pie, or shepherd’s pie).
- Many Italian-American immigrants used “pie” to describe pizza because it was round, had a crust, and was sliced like a traditional pie.
This linguistic shift was a way to make pizza more familiar to Americans, many of whom had never seen or eaten it before.
The Role of New York in Popularizing “Pizza Pie”
New York played a massive role in spreading the term “pizza pie.” Some key factors include:
- Italian-American influence – Many early Italian immigrants settled in NYC and used the term “pizza pie.”
- First American pizzerias – Lombardi’s and other early pizzerias often referred to their pizzas as “pies.”
- Advertising and marketing – Restaurants used the phrase “pizza pie” to make pizza sound more appealing to non-Italians.
Even today, some classic New York pizzerias still call it a “pie.” If you go to an old-school pizza joint in NYC, you might still hear someone say, “One large pie, please!” instead of “one large pizza.”
Is a Pizza Technically a Pie?
From a culinary perspective, is a pizza actually a pie? The answer is yes and no.
Why Pizza Could Be Considered a Pie
- It Has a Crust – Traditional pies have a crust, and so does pizza.
- It’s Round and Sliced – Like fruit or savory pies, pizza is often circular and cut into triangular pieces.
- It Was Marketed That Way – Early Italian immigrants and pizzerias used “pie” as a translation to help Americans understand pizza.
Why Pizza Isn’t Technically a Pie
- Most Pies Have a Top Crust – Unlike apple or pot pies, most pizzas don’t have a second layer of crust.
- Different Dough Composition – Pizza dough is usually thinner and stretchier than pie dough.
- Traditional Italian Pizza Isn’t a Pie – In Italy, pizza has never been called a pie.
So while pizza shares some similarities with pies, it has evolved into its own distinct category of food.
Do Americans Still Use “Pizza Pie” Today?
The phrase “pizza pie” is much less common today than it was 50–100 years ago.
- Most younger Americans just say “pizza” and never use “pizza pie.”
- The term is mostly preserved in New York, New Jersey, and old-school pizzerias.
- Classic Italian-American restaurants might still list “pizza pie” on menus for nostalgic reasons.
However, if you ask for a “pizza pie” at a Domino’s or Pizza Hut, you might get a confused look. Most major chains just use “pizza.”
Other Unique American Pizza Terms
Besides “pizza pie,” Americans have developed other pizza-related slang:
- Za – A slang term for pizza that became trendy in the 1980s and 1990s.
- Slice – A common term, especially in NYC, referring to a single piece of pizza.
- Deep Dish – Refers specifically to Chicago-style pizza, which has a thick crust and layers of cheese.
- Grandma Pie – A square-shaped, thin-crust pizza that originated in Long Island, NY.
These terms show how American pizza culture has continued to evolve over time.
The Role of Italian-American Culture in Keeping the Term Alive
Even though “pizza pie” has become less common in modern speech, it still exists in Italian-American culture and certain regions.
1. Generational Influence
Many older Italian-Americans, particularly those raised between the 1950s and 1970s, grew up using the term “pizza pie.” This was because their parents or grandparents, who had immigrated from Italy, used the term in English to make pizza sound familiar to non-Italians.
For example:
- If you ask an older New Yorker about pizza, they might still say “Let’s order a pie!” instead of “Let’s order a pizza.”
- Classic Italian delis and pizzerias in New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia often still use “pizza pie” on their menus out of tradition.
2. Traditional Italian Pizzerias
Some old-school, family-run pizzerias that have been around for generations still proudly display “pizza pie” on their signs and menus. These restaurants keep the phrase alive by sticking to the traditional way of talking about pizza.
For example, pizzerias in New York, such as:
- Lombardi’s (est. 1905)
- John’s of Bleecker Street (est. 1929)
- Patsy’s Pizzeria (est. 1933)
3. Pop Culture Influence
Movies, TV shows, and music have helped keep the phrase in people’s minds. Some famous examples include:
- Dean Martin’s song “That’s Amore” (1953) – “When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that’s amore!”
- Classic mafia movies like Goodfellas and The Godfather – Italian-American characters frequently refer to pizza as a “pie.”
While most younger generations don’t say “pizza pie,” these cultural touchpoints keep the phrase from disappearing entirely.
How “Pizza Pie” Spread Across the U.S.
Although the term “pizza pie” originated in New York’s Italian-American communities, it spread to other parts of the U.S. through:
1. Migration of Italian-Americans
As Italian immigrants moved beyond New York and settled in cities like Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, and California, they brought their food traditions and language with them.
- In Chicago, the phrase stuck but became more associated with deep-dish pizza due to its pie-like structure.
- In California and the Midwest, the term became less common over time as new pizza styles developed.
2. Early Pizza Chains & Franchises
As pizza grew in popularity during the 1940s–1970s, early pizza chains like Shakey’s Pizza, Pizza Hut, and Domino’s sometimes used “pizza pie” in their advertisements.
However, as these chains expanded nationwide, they simplified the name to just “pizza” to make it easier for customers to remember.
3. Regional Variations
Different parts of the U.S. have their own ways of referring to pizza:
- New York & New Jersey – The phrase “pizza pie” was widely used but is now mostly said by older generations or in classic pizzerias.
- Chicago – People still call deep-dish pizza a “pie” because of its thick, layered structure.
- West Coast & Midwest – The term “pizza” is used almost exclusively, with little to no reference to “pizza pie.”
- Southern U.S. – The phrase has largely disappeared except in some older Italian-American communities.
4. Marketing & Media Influence
By the 1980s and 1990s, modern pizza marketing focused on “pizza” rather than “pizza pie.” Big brands like Pizza Hut, Domino’s, and Papa John’s never used “pizza pie” in national advertising, which helped phase the term out in mainstream culture.
However, in regional and family-owned pizzerias, especially in the Northeast, you can still find “pizza pie” on the menu.
FAQs About “Pizza Pie”
1. Where did the term “pizza pie” originate?
It originated from Italian immigrants in the early 1900s who used “pie” to describe pizza in English.
2. Do Italians call pizza “pizza pie”?
No. In Italy, it’s simply called “pizza.”
3. Is pizza really a pie?
Not in the traditional sense, but it shares characteristics like crust, slicing, and round shape.
4. Do people still say “pizza pie” today?
Rarely. It’s mostly used in New York, New Jersey, and some Italian-American communities.
5. Did Dean Martin popularize “pizza pie”?
His song “That’s Amore” (1953) helped reinforce the phrase, but it existed before then.
Conclusion
The phrase “pizza pie” is a uniquely American term born from Italian immigration, linguistic adaptation, and marketing strategies. While it was once a common way to describe pizza, its usage has declined significantly.
Today, most people simply say “pizza,” but the term “pizza pie” still holds historical and cultural significance, especially in Italian-American communities.
So, whether you call it “pizza” or “pizza pie,” one thing is clear—Americans love their pizza
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