The marriage of tacos and spaghetti seems to be a bonafide fad. Nickelodeon show “iCarly” has enhanced the nation’s taste for the incongruous pairing of these Italian and Mexican staples. We’re no culinary experts, but we can smell a tasty linguistic opportunity a mile away. What happens when you put these words together? Here’s some, ahem, food for thought.
Spaghetti is an Italian word for “string” or “twine.” The popular pasta is referenced in a later Italian import, the Spaghetti Western, or cowboy film shot in the arid, rustic landscape of Italy. The movies, unfortunately, have little to do with pasta, or string.
Taco refers to a light snack of a corn tortilla filled with spicy meat and salsa, literally meaning ”filling.” While the word is Spanish, the food is indigenous: the Aztecs were noshing on fish tacos when the conquistadores arrived.
The word pasta entered English as the shortening of the Italian pastasciutta, which, somehow, was originally a Greek word for barley porridge with salt (pastos). Italy takes its pasta seriously: according to Italian law, only durum wheat can be used to make dried pasta. Durum gives the pasta the al dente texture that is coveted by aficionados.
For many years it was debated in kitchens from Shanghai to Sicily whether the noodle originated in Italian or Chinese cuisine. Did Marco Polo bring spaghetti to China or did he bring wheat noodles to Italy? China wins the latest round of the debate: Archaeologists have discovered the remains of a 4,000-year-old bowl of half-eaten noodles in North China. However, neither culture can take credit for naming noodles, the word originates from the German nudel.
On the topic of foods that kids love, let’s address the classic hot dog question. Is the gross story of how hot dogs got their name true? Click here to find out.
Food fads are easy to come-by…
SOME THAT WORK:
Pecan cookies + spaghetti sauce + ice cream.
Chunky granola + ice cream, (for breakfast).
Flowered hotdogs + soy sauce + rice, (for a TV snack; knifed-flowerlike).
Orange juice + Half’n'Half, (just like a 50:50-bar).
Lemonade + Half’n'Half, (just like a pina-colada but which is pineapple and coconut).
SOME THAT DON’T:
Prune juice + Dr. Pepper, (though they seem similar, they are not).
Ray.
My daughter is an iCarly fan so we tried this out just this week. For me this combo was, as the kids would say, “gross”. I will not partake of this como again. Carly, Sam, Freddie, and Spencer can keep it.
I just ate spaghetti tacos and lost The Game.
I thought it was a joke, but my brother in law made it for us…they also saw the idea on iCarly ~~ we LOVE it! It’s now a regular item on our dinner menu =)
Well, actually “spaghetti” means not “string”, but rather “little strings”. Compare “spago, spaghetti, spaghettini”. What do you think the singular forms are of the last two words mentioned?
“Taco” in Spanish refers to not only taco, but originally to “wad”. Thus, a Mexican taco is a little wad [of food]. Of course, the Southwestern US taco is more American than Mexican. The typical street vendor Mexican taco features a smallish corn tortilla, heated on an iron without oil, and filled with a little bit of meat or fish, as well as semi-pickled radishes, carrot slices and onion, plus spicy peppers.
In Spanish, “tortilla”, literally a small “torta” or sandwhich signifies something entirely different in Mexico and Spain. In Madrid, a “tortilla” is a full meal and is, essentially, a frittata, or unflipped, baked omellette.
The word “tamale” is not Spanish at all. “Tamale” is an illiterate transliteration of “tamales”, the plural of “tamal”. “Tamal” is also the second spelling of “tamale” in English, but “tamale” does not exist in Spanish – except as a transliteration of the English “tamale”! Did you follow that? (The Academy of Spain does not recognize “tamale” as a Spanish word, of course.)
Figures. You have to watch a stupid show to come up with something this stupid.
No thanks.
I’ve never tried it but im not planning to!
Me and my friend Rebecca both love iCarly, and didnt dare to try their Spagetti tacos. 
me and my friend Rebecca loves iCArly and all, but didnt dare to try their Speghetti tacos. I: 
This is such a ridiculous idea! I tried this recipe with horseradish, dill pickles and chocolate covered peanuts and it turned out to be quite a hit with the kids! I never thought spaghetti would work like this for children. It would make me gag!
so.. what’s the word for this food craze? I’m sensing iCarly as in
“ewww you’re eating spaghetti and tacos”
me: “i’m doing an iCarly” (?)
Raymond you are just sick.
My fiance and my sister found that they like prime rib with butterscotch pudding. They found out by going to a very nice buffet restaurant called The Journey here in Indianapolis. I think it’s disgusting.
…spaghetti taco – NO! …
something much simpler .. and delicious ..
..something that does not test your gag reflexes
..something that you can eat today ‘n NOT sit on tomorrow
try a TOSSED SALAD SANDWICH..only with DUKES mayonnaise
add a little meat if you like = SOME KINDA’ GOOD!
…g…
The obesity academic claims that 3/4 of our nation is fat and out of shape.
LolWut.
Anyway, Spencer usually doesn’t act his age, so I can see this.
The article is titled “Spaghetti tacos, seriously? What’s the definition of this food craze?”. I was curious as to what spaghetti tacos are but after reading the entire article, it still gives me no clue as to the definition. There are numerous links in this article but none of them tell my anything.
What are spaghetti tacos? Is it spaghetti inside a taco shell or rolled up in a tortilla or the makings of a taco atop spaghetti or what?
If u watch iCarly like I do you’ll hear a mention of spaghetti tacos frequently. I’ve had it and it is actually very tasty!! Try it!!
You should have given the definition of “spaghetti tacos,” not just spaghetti and tacos individually. For those who may not know, spaghetti tacos are an invention of Spencer’s (Carly’s big brother on iCarly) where he takes homemade spaghetti and places it into taco shells. I don’t like spaghetti sauce in the first place, so I doubt I will ever waste good taco shells that way.
just weird….
I made a salad last night of cold baked potato, cold steamed broccoli, cold steak, strawberries and sweet vidalia onion dressing. It was awesome. I’m totally willing to try spaghetti tacos.
I made a salad last night of cold baked potato, cold steamed broccoli, cold steak and strawberries with sweet vidalia onion dressing. It was awesome. I’m totally willing to try spaghetti tacos.
Psta with basil sauce is delicious.
Gross. Spaghetti tacos? Seriously?
Saint Basil and the trinity in the 4th century.
[...] SPAGHETTI TACOS iCarly, whatever that is — Emily Post she ain’t. — However, Spaghetti and falafel Balls scooped up with some Pita — is food for diversity thought for the indiscriminate eata. — Greek Yogurt in Kashi cereal or a Bowl of Quaker Oats — topped off with Blueberries for the breakfast floats. — We’re happy for iCarly — whatever she may be — but someone should slap her mother for allowing her to eat like that while she’s on TV. UNION! –>>Rupert L.T.Rhyme [...]
I tried this before, and really it’s kinda…weird. As a kid that grew up on both pasta and a lot of spicy foods this combo just doesn’t make sense. I always saw my spaghetti with a bit more sweetness to it and tacos strike me as something to have a lot of spice and such. Well chalk this one up as another fad set up by media that a lot of people will try if not just because TV personae said it was good.
Wow i can’t belive a small TV recipe could become so popular arounf the world! I would love to try it but i wouldn’t say that spaghetti and salad goes together but here is the recipe:
Taco shell + Spaghetti + Saghetti Sauce + Salad = Weird Taco!
IT TASTED AWESOME!!!!! DUH!!!
My brother tried it last week. I was entirely, 100% grossed out at this while spaghetti sauce dribbled down his chin. Never will forget that.
Have to say though, I don’t think I agree with Mr. Petry up there about the pecan cookies, spaghetti sauce, and ice cream combo. That sounds even more disguisting.
We tried it just this week too – me and my six-year-old boy – after reading about it in The New York Times. I got two kinds of tortilla shells: flour and corn. The soft corn tortilla did not taste very good with spaghetti, but my son liked the hard corn tacos filled with spaghetti and I liked the flour tortillas filled with spaghetti, wrapped like a burrito to keep the pasta from sliding out. We used shredded Italian cheese as a topping the same way you use shredded cheddar on Mexican tacos. It was great…but then, I grew up eating spaghetti sandwiches (spaghetti on buttered and folded white bread). I think it will turn out to be a new dinner favorite.
I wonder what people first thought of PB&J sandwiches? I have a European boss who thinks it is a bizarre combination.
Wow that realy sounds kinda cool. i wanna try it with my family. Come on everyone try it! it will be a good little change for a while just once try it
My kids are HUGE fans of icarly and we made the spaghetti tacos. My kids loved them, they even made them for some of their friends and they liked them as well.
wow. it’s hard to believe that people research on spaghetti.
If you have not tried this combonation of spaghetti and tacos then you absolutly MUST try it! I love it, just being myself. But, i also think many other people would enjoy it if you give it a try! Yes, im only 17 and yes i watch Icarly! But who doesn’t!? I am not surprised that this food mix has became a fad! (:
Again, Spaghetti tacos are great! Give them a chance!
Wow thats…. stupid it sounds discusting i wood nver feed my kids that
It actually sounds delicious. maybe i should try it sometime…
My family and I have tried out this recipe twice now, and both times it was different. The dish as a whole is certainly unique, but I thought it was pretty decent. If you’re going to ever try it, I recommend using soft taco shells because the hard ones just break. Also, use meat sauce NOT meat balls.
I looove icarly and what icarly has done makes me really happy. ICARLY ROCKS!!
I have no idea were the producers of ICarly got spegetti tacos but I love them I love ICarly and i have seen every one im their biggest fan
lol GO SPEGETTI TACOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Megan
Charlene I was wondering if your daughter liked
spagetti tacos?
Hugs and Kisses
Megan
My kids and I tried it too but my kids said they dont like it but they want to like the spaghetti tacos to be like Sam, Carly, Freddie, and Spencer. It was soo sweet, i love them!
My son loves iCarly and one time he asked me if we can spaghtti tacos. I said okay lets try them.
We tried this at school and it was one of the grosses thing I have ever had. I’m not sure if the people on iCarly have even tried it.
~Bree
I tried this out last week because I saw the episode,and it was….TERRIBLE!!!Dont try it.HI my name is…BOB][']‘]’]'];’]l.s.dxlaslxs[ac
Though I’ve learned 2 love iCarly, the show teaches me 2 never attempt something that either Spencer or Sam have attempted. I will never eat a spaghetti taco or stuff a taco down someone important’s pants. I advise you not 2 try this. It sounds downright nasty.
We’ve tried spaghetti tacos and really like them. The crunch of the taco with the sweet soft pasta noodles. Makes for a fun “off” night after serving more gourmet meals all month. Don’t knock it.
Have you tried Rice tacos? they are just taco shells with rice instead of meat.
My sister decided to try it one night after watching an “iCarly” episode, and ever since then it’s been a popular dinner choice with our family. If you like spaghetti and you like tacos, then you will love spaghetti tacos.
Spaghetti taco’s are duuuuulish.
Spaghetti Tacos! Where to begin?
The best combo ever!
Greatest Taste!
Combines two of my fav foods!
Yeah spaghetti tacos are the best treat ever! : )
what is this world coming to?
The definition of this food craze is a dangerous recipe for obesity. Starch, wrapped into yet more greasy starch. Take control parents!
i tried it out once with my kids: (dis-GUS-ting) EWWWWWWW!!! mayb its cool if ur carly and spence or wateva but if you actually try it: it is a grotesque mixture of foods i love. love them apart but hate them 2gether. u kno wat im sayin rite?
Spaghetti can have a possible chance of tasting good. Also watch all the Cardinal games I have in football. Thanks, love Kurt. Also watch dancing with the stars. Wish me luck!!!
I see this episode all the time. I really want to try spaghetti tacos one day. the only thing that concerns me is that they put sauce in it whitch could make the shells soggy 
i love thease thing. fun fast and very good.
Just leave it up to dictionary.com to discuss Nickolodeon shows.
I’ve never tried spaghetti tacos before. And a wise person once said, “Believe half of what you see and none of what you hear.”
Some people say it taste good. Some people say it taste bad.
But, you’ll never know until you try it for yourself.
Basically, I’m going to try it and see what it’s like.
Wish me luck!
It sounds gross anyway…. 
i like spaghetti and i like tacos…. but both together?? YUCK!
I’ve heard of them, but maybe I’ll try it. I wonder if you include the sauce and stuff?
We been eating spagetti tacos for ever, is not new.. My husband is from Mexico, I’m not either italian or mexican. I love them tacos with hot sauce of course. DIfferent kind of spagettis like with cream, cheese or persley. NOT A NEW PLATE
Looks good. I’d try it.
Here in New Zealand a popular kids snack/ weekend lunch/breakfast is spaghetti on toast!! yes really. What about a name for that?
My kids have been nagging me for ages to make these. I did it on Saturday and they were utterly thrilled. And more to the point, they ate them!
omg I tried this and it’s really good
wow!!! I thought it was really gross at first but when I triend it I learned it’s really not that bad it was really good. Hey don’t dis it till you try it.
Sorry I ment to put tried not triend.
Ha-ha! My little sister made spaghetti tacos because of iCarly…..it really isn’t very good. The shells get soggy. lol…but it’s interesting that it could spark such a huge trend!
oh come on, it’s not a big deal if kids want to eat it. i have tried it because me and my friends were bored and it was kind of good. Its a funny random show you dont ave to take it seriously!
dis really don’t make sense because to me i like both
eating food is one of my favorite hobby… =)
THIS IS SUCH A GREAT IDEA THANKS DICTIONARY.COM!!!<3
I wouldn’t mind a noodle in my taco…
ok like i would love the taste of one, but wat the heck! its so messy!
…and here I thought “Macaroni Pizza” sounded gross. Some of these fad foods sound interesting enough that I’d want to at least try them, but others just kind of make me cringe a little (Lemonade + Half & Half, for example… I imagine you’d have to drink it very quickly before the citric acid curdled the cream).
Fad (alcoholic) drinks are much more in line with my area of expertise. They usually involving mixing sugary liqueurs with sugary mixers (Jager Bombs and Walk-Me-Downs, for a couple of “Hall of Fame” examples), or involve mixing stock alcohol with non-standard mixers (Whiskey Milk Punch or Brighton Punch for the old-timers). Or more recently, the fad with bartenders is to add flavored cordials to flavored vodka, serve it in a martini glass, and call it a [insert noun here]tini… which is a huge pet peeve of mine. Martinis don’t get their name from the distinctive glass, they get their name from the brand of vermouth that they were originally made with (Martini & Rossi). If it doesn’t contain vermouth, then it doesn’t meet the criterion for acquiring the -tini suffix.
Ah, but I rant. Give enough children their own TV shows, and Spaghetti Tacos are inevitable. Any bets on what it will be next? Lasagna Hotdogs? Grilled Cheese French Toast Sandwiches? Marshmallow Hamburgers?
~Saf
Ew! Some people are a little too into weird shows. O_o
I can see that someone hit the nail on the head with the comment that their kids are “HUGE” fans. I am sure they are if they eat nothing but carbs on top of carbs for every meal. Why not just add a deep fat fried chocolate bar on top and call it a dessert spaghetti taco? Or maybe some deep fat fried bacon? No wonder Americans struggle with obesity! For the guy who said that it’s not a big deal if kids want to eat it, are you not concerned that some of these kids won’t make it past 40 because of the health problems eating like this can cause? My parents certainly would not have let me eat cake or ice cream for breakfast because it’s not healthy. Certainly it’s okay to indulge sometimes, but having regular eating habits like this can do serious damage and stick with you. Why not have a grilled chicken salad instead? Show that you care about your kids and how they turn out. This iCarly character should consider that as well when she is influencing a nation of children.
I’m almost 13 and I love Icarly, I have never tried them together, I think I’m going to just keep them a part.!!!~ WHO AGREES?
I wonder if the Spaghetti tacos would be better if they used soft tacos instead of the traditional hard shells…
Hmmmm….iCarly also prompted people to do a lot of weird stuff. I personally am trying it, and considering it…doesn’t seem so bad. But, please, why do some of you care about how much starch it has? If you’re worried about getting one extra inch on your waistline that no one sees, don’t try it!
Then again, maybe I’m predudiced, owning my bar and all…
spaghetti tacos. ok. some of you say it’s not that bad, while others scream their stomachs out saying it’s so gross. well, it doesn’t matter. if you want to eat spaghetti tacos, go. if you don’t want to, no one’s forcing you. watching or loving iCarly doesn’t necessarily mean you are obliged to feed your children or to eat spaghetti tacos. if your kids love to eat spaghetti tacos, go. just make sure you give them other foods to supplement the nutrients not found in spaghetti tacos. in that way, your kids wouldn’t end up a bag of carbs.
tacos used to be the name of same kind of tread made as a roll used for old fashion rifles they used to to put it into the rifle and pushed it tight with a metal stick before pouring the gun pouder so when people said i am ready means i am full or ready to go hunting.
ummm….well…what to say…i don;t h8 the iCarly cast…but i do h8 the pple who tlk and don;t know what he chizz there saying!! just keep ur mouth shut ppl WE dont care!!! and that gose to u moms!!>:o
****(JUSTIN BIEBER SUxx)****LoL(:
-10/13/10-
Spaghetti Tacos? It’s a regular on icarly. Very wierd. What’s next? jelly and mayo sandwich?
iCarly is probably one of the rudest shows I’ve ever seen. (I saw an episode where an elderly lady was laying on the sidewalk and this one kid just drove on by on his bike.) But spaghetti tacos, YUMS!
My mom is making spaghetti tacos tonight for supper. She heard about them on the radio, not ICarly. I’m excited to try them. I like spaghetti and tacos. There are a lot of food combinations that do not sound all that appetizing, but this one isn’t one of them. By the way…Christine Anne, were you talking about food?
I’m not a tween, I never watched iCarly, and I think that spaghetti tacos sound divine. The contrasts. I mean, the pasta is tender. The taco shell is crunchy. The sauce is zingy. The taco shell is salty. The pasta is mild. What’s NOT to be divine? OK, now I’m drooling
Wow. Some people really get into TV shows.