The name derives from the italian word spago, which means strand, or rope. Therefore, literally, the word spaghetti would mean little strands.
The term is sometimes used to refer to Italians in a derogatory way. (such as Spaghetti Western)
The story that Marco Polo brought the recipe for spaghetti back from China has been described as a legend; indeed, some people question whether he reached China at all, and in any case pasta is believed to have been made in Italy at least since the 4th century BC.
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