Which Italian pasta's name means “little tongues”?

Linguine is the Italian pasta whose name means “little tongues.” Its name comes from the Italian word lingua, meaning “tongue,” referring to the pasta’s long, narrow, flattened shape.

Linguine originated in the Liguria region of northwestern Italy, especially around Genoa. It is thinner and narrower than fettuccine but flatter than spaghetti, giving it a distinctive middle-ground shape. Ligurian cuisine commonly pairs it with pesto, the region’s famous basil-based sauce, as well as seafood sauces.

Linguine is sometimes confused with trenette, another Ligurian ribbon-like pasta traditionally served with pesto, potatoes, and green beans. The shapes are related, but linguine is generally more widely known internationally. Its flattened surface helps light sauces cling to the noodles while remaining suitable for olive oil, shellfish, tomato, and herb-based preparations.