🌭 Origin of the Sausage
The base of the hot dog is the sausage, and its history goes back thousands of years:
- Ancient Rome and Greece: People already prepared ground meat with spices in casings.
- Germany (15th–17th centuries): The modern sausage was perfected here.
- Frankfurter: Originating from Frankfurt.
- Wiener: From Vienna (in German: Wien).
🇺🇸 Arrival in the United States
In the 19th century, many German immigrants came to the U.S., bringing their sausage-making traditions.
In New York City, vendors began selling them in buns to make them easier to eat without utensils.
🧢 Why Is It Called "Hot Dog"?
One popular theory:
- At a baseball game, a vendor sold hot sausages in buns.
- Cartoonists drew dachshund dogs instead of sausages due to their shape.
- Unable to spell "dachshund," they labeled them "hot dogs".
- And the name stuck!
🏟️ Massive Popularity
In 1916, Polish immigrant Nathan Handwerker opened Nathan’s Famous in Coney Island, New York.
His hot dogs were tasty and cheap, quickly becoming a hit at fairs and sports events.
🌍 Modern Variations
Today, there are many regional variations of the hot dog:
- Chili dog: Topped with chili con carne.
- Chicago-style hot dog: Pickles, mustard, peppers, and more.
- Colombian or Venezuelan hot dog: Crushed chips, sauces, cheese, avocado, and more.
🧠 Fun Fact
The hot dog is so iconic in the U.S. that on July 4th, millions are eaten every year.
There’s even a famous hot dog eating contest hosted by Nathan's.