Have you ever wondered why some people say “O Bay” instead of the seasoning real name, which is “Old Bay”? There is a reason some people say “O Bay” instead of “Old Bay.”
The proper name is “Old Bay” seasoning
“Old Bay” seasoning is named after the “Old Bay Line,” a passenger ship that historically traveled between Baltimore, Maryland and Norfolk, Virginia on the Chesapeake Bay. Therefore, the name is a familiar reference for people in that region. Because of the close proximity to the Chesapeake Bay and the historic shipping route, Virginians commonly use the shortened “O Bay” to refer to the seasoning.
About Old Bay Seasoning
Old Bay seasoning is a blend of 18 spices that can season many foods because it is sweet, salty, and spicy, with a hint of smoke. The seasoning is marketed in the United States by McCormick & Company and was originally created in Baltimore, Maryland in 1939.
The seasoning is regionally popular, specifically in Maryland, as well as in the Mid-Atlantic States, the Southern States, parts of New England, and the Gulf Coast.