Rachel

1 of 2

noun (1)

Ra·​chel ˈrā-chəl 

: a wife of Jacob and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin

Rachel

2 of 2

noun (2)

plural Rachels

: a grilled sandwich of Swiss cheese, coleslaw, and usually turkey often on rye bread

On a recent lunch date with my mom … I opted for the Rachel (a cousin of the Reuben, but with slaw instead of kraut and turkey instead of corned beef) and was not disappointed.

—Caron Steibich

Lunch features … popular sandwiches such as Reubens and Rachels.

—Patriot News (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania)

compare reuben entry 2

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

named as a pendant to the reuben entry 2 sandwich, probably after the children's song "Reuben and Rachel"

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1965, in the meaning defined above