The strong-tasting, hard cheese known as Romano and the long-leafed lettuce known as romaine both originated in Italy, both came to be known in English in the early twentieth century, and both have names that mean Roman; the words differ slightly in spelling, however, because Romano is Italian (and masculine in gender) while romaine is French (and feminine in gender). According to legend, the city of Rome took its name from one of its mythical founders, Romulus, but in truth it was Romulus who was named after the city. The actual source of the city’s name is likely Ruma, an earlier name for the Tiber River that runs through Rome; the Ruma, in turn, may have derived its name from the Greek word rhein, meaning to flow. The Greek rhein is also the source of the last half of diarrhoea but is unrelated to Rhine, the name of a river running through central and western Europe.
A robust and pungent cheese that possesses a distinctively salty and smoky flavor profile is known as “Pecorino Romano.” Similar to Parmesan cheese, this variety is typically grated prior to use, and is a popular choice for enhancing the flavor of a wide range of dishes.