Author Sparked a Viral Debate with the Phrase ‘Wawa Sub’ — Why She Says She’s ‘Right’ (Exclusive)

A light-hearted debate over sandwich terminology has ignited on social media, thanks to author B.K. Borison and her recent novel, *And Now, Back to You*. In a passage where a character enjoys a “sub from Wawa,” the choice of words quickly caught the attention of readers, leading to a spirited discussion online about the proper term for the popular sandwich.

Borison, a native of Baltimore, explained that in her hometown, a sub is simply referred to as a “sub,” while the term “hoagie” is more commonly associated with Philadelphia. After a reader expressed disbelief at the phrase “a sub from Wawa,” stating, “A SUB?????? FROM WAWA?????????,” the conversational storm began to brew. This prompted many to chime in, creating differing views on the matter.

“I didn’t realise that ‘hoagie’ was an acceptable choice to call a ‘sub,’” Borison remarked when discussing the situation with PEOPLE. “Nobody from Baltimore calls a ‘sub’ anything but a ‘sub.’” Her character, Delilah Stewart, who hails from Baltimore, uses the term reflecting local vernacular. Borison defended her decision as simply being true to her origins and the narrative of her story.

The book features two rival meteorologists, Jackson Clark and Delilah Stewart, who become friends while covering a snowstorm, echoing the classic film *When Harry Met Sally*. The reference to a Wawa sandwich comes when Delilah observes a man enjoying a sub, a seemingly innocuous detail that ultimately spiralled into a viral sensation on social media platforms.

The discussion gained momentum on March 23, with fans chiming in on threads and others expressing surprise, reminiscing about sub versus hoagie terminology. Borison commented on the unexpected uproar, saying, “Never did I imagine that thousands of people would weigh in on the subject of ‘sub’ terminology,” suggesting that it was not a deliberate choice but rather a reflection of how those from her city communicate.

In her interactions on social media, Borison embraced the playful controversy, posting a photo that encapsulated her bemusement. She shared, “Me trying to explain to people that a fictional character would never refer to a sub as a hoagie,” reaffirming her stance that no one from Baltimore would use the word hoagie.

The author found the incident somewhat amusing, labelling the viral discourse as a “funny thing to pop out from the whole story.” She emphasised that the line in her book was intended to reflect an authentic representation of her character’s background. She further noted that her manuscript had gone through a rigorous editing process, yet none of the reviewers flagged the term as a potential issue.

Wawa, the popular convenience store chain known for its sandwiches, eventually got wind of the exchange and embraced the humour. The brand sent Borison a package containing hats adorned with sandwich patches and a playful note that read, “your friends at Wawa,” alongside an invitation for her next “sub” to be on them.

In a fun twist, Wawa also engaged with the topic on April Fool’s Day by presenting a hoagie wrapped in paper printed with “Wawa subs,” claiming they were making an “important change.” Borison found this amusing, replying with “Cry laughing” to the light-hearted stunt.

While Borison is known for her typical order of an Italian sub with extra lettuce and dressing, she remains steadfast in her preference against using the term “hoagie” in casual conversation. She expressed her appreciation for the Philadelphia community’s efforts, while clarifying, “I don’t think I could ever use the word ‘hoagie’ in casual conversation.”

In closing, the ongoing debate has captured the attention of many, with Wawa itself emphasising that they consider their sandwiches to be hoagies, expressing gratitude for the enthusiasm surrounding their menu items. “To many, the hoagie is synonymous with Wawa and we are delighted the hoagie is being honoured, celebrated and enjoyed!” Wawa stated in a message to the media.

As the discourse continues, it serves as a reminder of how regional language can spark differing opinions on even the simplest of subjects, such as the beloved sandwich.