I think the "grill" in grilled cheese is the kind of grill that is a synonym for griddle. Or maybe even a shortening of griddle. The big flat thing they cook everything on at a diner, isn't that also called a grill?

Oh, now these words all look made up and nonsensical.

I just had a melted cheese open faced sandwhich. I cheated, I toasted the bread the put cheese on the toast, and nuked it. Yummy.

When I was growing up, we made grilled cheese by placing a slice of cheese on the bread and putting it on the oven rack close to the top element in the oven. Then we'd cut it into fingers, and I'd try to get the middle bits.

Broiling confused me for some time because I figured it should bear some relation to boiling.

When I was growing up, we made grilled cheese by placing a slice of cheese on the bread and putting it on the oven rack close to the top element in the oven

In my family, we call that "cheese toast" and I love it.

The best grilled cheese I ever had was made by a neighbor when I was growing up and contradicted a bunch of prejudices. Basically frying white bread in Mayo on the griddle, and adding American cheese. Pretty sure it was brand specific - had to be Wonder Bread, Kraft Cheese, Don't know what brand of Mayo.

In my family, we call that "cheese toast" and I love it.

We do, too. I forgot about that variant.

Thank you person in the dim distant past who figured out that we could make and eat cheese!

I make grilled cheese under the grill. Seemed to make sense.

Of course the internet has more to tell me! From [link]

A survey of American cookbooks reveals that recipes titled for "toasted cheese" sandwiches predate those titled "grilled cheese." Grilled cheese shows up in print in the 1960s. BUT!!! It is also apparent that most recipes for toasted cheese sandwiches were broiled (what the English term grill). To further complicate matters, there seems to be little or no relationship between the name of the dish and the instructed method of cookery. Heating methods include toasting in a broiler, baking in a oven and frying on a cooktop with a frying pan, griddle or similar device. It is interesting to note one does not find recipes for "fried cheese sandwiches," even though many of the recipes called for this cooking method. Curious, yes?

By coincidence, my lunch today was a toasted sandwich, containing soy and ginger tuna with cheddar cheese.

Just had a brief IM exchange with my middle sister. Oldest sister begins chemo this week. Her prognosis is poor. As sister and I both said, "And she's the one who's always been sure to take care of herself." It's the first case of cancer we know of in our family, other than some small skin cancers from Mother's habit of mowing the lawn in the midday sun without sun screen.

I'm in no position to do more than care.