Hot Dogs
History of Hot Dogs
There are several different theories about the origin of the
hot dog. Traditionally, Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany, is credited with originating
the frankfurter. In 1987, the city celebrated the 500th birthday of the hot dog
in that city.
Others say the popular "little dog" was created in the 1600s by a
butcher in Coburg, Germany. However, Vienna (Wien), Austria, points to the term
"wiener" to prove their claim as the hot dog birthplace. Another story points to
the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in 1904. A concessionaire sold wieners as
plain sausages, and provided customers with white gloves for easier eating.
After the gloves were not not returned, he consulted a baker who designed the
"hot dog bun" to protect eaters' fingers.
Some say a cartoonist named Tad Dorgan gave the hot dog its
name. He wanted to sketch New York vendors selling dachshund sausages and
yelling "Get your dachshund sausages while they're red hot!" Yet, Dorgan was
unsure how to spell "dachshund," so he simply wrote beneath it "Hot Dog!" and
the name stuck.
One of the more credible stories comes from Barry Popick, a
prominent hot dog historian at Roosevelt University. He claims the word began
appearing in college magazines in the 1890s. Yale students kept referring to
wagons selling hot sausages in buns outside their dorms as "dog wagons." One of
the popular stands was even dubbed "The Kennel Club." It didn't take long for
the use of the word "dog" to become "hot dog."
Hot Dog Specialties
All across the country, Americans like to eat their hot dogs differently. For instance, in the South, people like their hot dogs "dragged through the garden" with cole-slaw type topping that includes cabbage, onions, carrots, mayo and spices. New Yorkers like their hot dogs served with steamed onions and pale yellow mustard. In Chicago, dogs come on a poppy seed bun, topped with yellow mustard, raw onion, pickle, relish, sliced tomato, and celery salt. Folks in Kansas City enjoy hot dogs with sauerkraut and Swiss cheese, while Iowa and Texas both lay claim to the corn dog.
Americans Love Their Hot Dogs
Americans eat approximately two billion pounds of hot dogs every year. During National Hot Dog Month in July, Americans usually eat two billion hot dogs. On the July 4th holiday weekend alone, there are typically 150 million hot dogs eaten. In Major League ballparks, fans will eat over 24 million hot dogs. Few foods hold the cultural significance of the great American hot dog. Songs have been written about them and cars made in their shape. From ball parks to airports to home kitchens to backyards, hot dogs are one of America's favorite foods. Look inside for everything hot dogs, and on the back for nutritional information.
Developed By:
National Hot Dog and Sausage Council
1700 North Moore Street, Suite 1600
Arlington, Virginia 22209
