Cuckoo for Hot Dogs

German immigrants are credited for introducing America to one of their favorite foods – hot dogs. It’s also thought that the name came up jokingly to refer to the German’s small, long, and thin dachshund sausages that were served in between a bun. Linguist Barry Popick traced the initial references to the beloved food like a hot dog in 1890s college magazines. 

The wagons stationed outside the schools selling the hot sausages were referred to as dog wagons. To drum up sales at the time, such advertisements were in circulation, and most featured a family shown enjoying the treat. The expressions on their faces make us wonder if they added a little something extra to the hot dogs.