It hit me during a summer barbecue in London. I was holding a steaming hot dog, fresh off the grill, when my eight-year-old niece looked up and asked, “Uncle, why is it called a hot dog if it’s not made of dog?”
For a moment, I paused. Then I laughed—not because the question was silly, but because I realised I didn’t have a clue. I’d eaten hot dogs all my life, and yet, I never questioned the name. Turns out, it’s one of those peculiar phrases baked into our everyday speech, and the truth behind it is both bizarre and brilliant.
Let’s unpack the saucy history of why hot dogs are called hot dogs—even though they have absolutely nothing to do with dogs.
The Origins: Sausages, Dachshunds, and American Humour
To understand the term “hot dog,” we need to start with the sausage—specifically, the frankfurter and the wiener.
From Germany to America: A Tasty Migration
Hot dogs trace their roots back to Europe. The frankfurter comes from Frankfurt, Germany, while the wiener hails from Vienna (Wien), Austria. Both are types of sausages made with a blend of meats and spices, typically served in a bun.
German immigrants brought these sausages to America in the 1800s, where they became a street food staple. Vendors would sell them hot, often from carts at busy public venues like baseball games and parks. But here’s where it gets interesting—and a little quirky.
Enter the Dachshund Sausage
According to Barry Popik, an etymologist who specialises in food history, sausages in a bun were originally called dachshund sausages or red hots in the 19th century.
The dachshund dog, with its long, sausage-like shape, became a humorous visual comparison to the meat in the bun.
In fact, a famous cartoon from the early 1900s by Tad Dorgan, a New York Evening Journal cartoonist, is often credited with popularising the term “hot dog.” He allegedly saw a vendor shouting, “Get your dachshund sausages while they’re red hot!” Unable to spell “dachshund,” he drew a cartoon with the caption: “hot dog!”
And the name stuck.
Fun Fact: No original copy of Dorgan’s cartoon has ever been found, but his influence on American slang is well documented.
But Was There Ever Dog in Hot Dogs?
No, hot dogs were never made from dog meat in any formal or widespread capacity. But urban myths persist, partly due to the mystery meat reputation of processed sausages.
In fact, the name alone has been the subject of food safety controversies. In the early 20th century, Upton Sinclair’s book The Jungle exposed the horrors of the meatpacking industry, including questionable meat content in sausages.
But despite the fearmongering, hot dogs have typically been made from a mixture of pork, beef, chicken, or turkey—depending on the brand and country regulations.
According to the USDA, ingredients must be clearly listed, and today’s hot dogs are subject to much stricter food safety standards.
Source: USDA Hot Dog Guidelines
A Linguistic Shift: From Joke to Jargon
Why the Name Stuck
The phrase “hot dog” started as slang and snowballed into everyday usage. In the early 1900s, American English was undergoing a wave of playful, informal phrasing. Slang terms often had whimsical or exaggerated origins.
Just like “hamburger” doesn’t imply ham, “hot dog” simply became the easiest, most catchy way to refer to the sausage-in-a-bun combo.
By 1920, the term was so embedded in culture that it appeared in Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary.
“Language evolves through use, and when humour meets food, catchy terms stick,” says Dr. Lynne Murphy, linguist at the University of Sussex.
Cultural Identity: Why Hot Dogs Became So American
Baseball, Barbecues, and National Identity
The rise of the hot dog coincided with America’s rapid urbanisation and growing love of leisure. Vendors sold them at baseball stadiums, and soon hot dogs became a symbol of American casual dining.
During WWII, when “frankfurters” sounded a bit too German, the patriotic name “hot dog” became even more widely used.
“Food isn’t just nutrition. It’s identity, history, and memory,” says Sarah Lohman, culinary historian and author of Eight Flavours: The Untold Story of American Cuisine.
The hot dog wasn’t just a snack; it became part of what it meant to be American.
Modern Hot Dogs: What’s Really Inside?
Despite the jokes, most hot dogs today are far from mystery meat. In the UK, food labelling laws enforced by the Food Standards Agency require transparency around meat content and preservatives.
A typical supermarket hot dog may contain:
- 60-80% meat (beef, pork, chicken, or turkey)
- Seasonings like garlic, paprika, and mustard
- Binding agents like rusk or breadcrumbs
- Preservatives for shelf-life and safety
Tip: For a cleaner option, look for organic or all-beef hot dogs with no nitrates.
FAQs
Were hot dogs ever made with dog meat?
No. Despite the name, hot dogs were never traditionally made with dog meat. The term originated from a cartoonist’s joke.
Who invented the hot dog?
The exact origin is debated, but German immigrants brought sausages to America. Charles Feltman is credited with selling the first hot dog on a bun in Coney Island in the 1860s.
Is the term “hot dog” used worldwide?
In the UK and Australia, the term is understood but less common. In Germany, you’ll more likely hear “wiener” or “bratwurst.”
Are hot dogs unhealthy?
They can be, especially if eaten in large quantities due to sodium and preservatives. Opt for nitrate-free or organic versions when possible.
What are vegetarian or vegan hot dogs made from?
Typically soy protein, pea protein, seitan (wheat gluten), or jackfruit.
Final Thoughts: Why the Name Matters
So, why are hot dogs called hot dogs if they aren’t dogs? It boils down to a quirky mix of linguistic play, immigrant food culture, and American marketing genius.
The term was never literal. Instead, it captured the imagination of a nation that didn’t mind a bit of fun with their food.
Personally, I now smile whenever I eat a hot dog—not just because it tastes good, but because it reminds me how language, history, and culture can come together in something as simple as a sausage in a bun.
Your Turn: Share Your Story
Have you ever wondered about a food name that didn’t make sense? Drop your thoughts below or share this article with someone who’s asked the same hot dog question.
Let’s keep the food stories (and buns) rolling.
Read Also: Why Does Stolen Food Taste Delicious?
