Castor and Pollux would know that this pasta is not twin tubes twisted around one another, as they may appear to be, but rather a single s-shaped strand twisted into a spiral.
Gemelli
'Little tongues' in Italian.
Linguine
Buco means 'hole' in Italian. Hence this spaghetti-like pasta with a hole running through the center takes this name.
Bucatini
4-letter pasta best known for its use in soups.
Orzo
A popular pasta, comprised of a filling, commonly meat-based and sealed between two layers of pasta dough.
Ravioli
'Little worms' pasta. Enough said.
Vermicelli
Commonly known as 'bow-tie pasta', the name is derived from the Italian word for a butterfly.
Farfalle
Can be literally translated as 'little strings' and goes well with meatballs. A common theory is that Marco Polo brought this back with him from China, but this has not been proven.
Spaghetti
Capellini which means 'thin hair' is slightly thicker than this similar but 'divine' pasta.
Angel hair
This form of pasta that comes in sheets is a favorite of the cartoon cat Garfield.
Lasagna
The name derives from the Italian word for little wheels and they look like wheels with spokes.
Rotelle
Hey Alfredo, this very flat, thick pasta is 'little ribbons' in Italian.
Fettuccine
Rigged, tube-shaped pasta that is larger than penne and ziti and the tube's end does not terminate at an angle, like penne's does.
Rigatoni
A ring-shaped pasta typically stuffed with (but not limited to) a mix of meat or cheese. Has a legend surrounding it that says that it was inspired by a woman's navel.
Tortellini
Conchiglie pasta, which take their name for an Italian word meaning this are not necessarily sold on the seashore.
Seashells
Campanelle pasta takes its name from the Italian for this...you must have come across this word for a type of tower. Does it ring anything?
Bell
The name of this corkscrew like pasta sounds like the name of a light firearm.
Fusilli
They have a cylindrical shape and, usually, their ends cut diagonally and you get one for your thoughts.
Penne