So why do Italians call pasta sauce "gravy?" [View All]

[eyesroll]

I use the probably very typical American definition of gravy -- something meat- or stock-based, that's been seasoned and thickened.
But the Italian definition, as we've seen here, is something that goes over "macaroni."

I see "macaroni and gravy," and I automatically think of elbow mac with turkey gravy, which isn't exactly appealing. (And yes, I know "macaroni" is a broader term in Italian than it is in American English.)

So, how did this usage of "gravy" come about? Is the typical American usage actually newer?