Question: What is the difference between frankfurters, wieners and hot dogs? It seems like frankfurters and wieners would have to be different in order to merit their different geographical names. I suppose “hot dog” might be an American name for one or both, or maybe it's something entirely different. I found an article online that suggested that all three are the same, but I'm skeptical. Can you help?

        Answer: Mark Kroeger, of Findlay Market's Kroeger & Sons Meats, can. And will.

        “I checked with my dad (Paul Kroeger) to be sure,” Mark said. “In this country, there's no real difference. Sometimes, frankfurters are a little larger, but the only real difference is in how they're marketed.

        “It's different in Germany. Frankfurters (generally smoked, spiced pork and beef) are made only in Frankfurt, just like Vidalia onions are grown only in Vidalia, Ga. Wieners are only made in Vienna and they're extremely high quality — a mix of veal and other ground meats.

        “Hot dogs are American, and they can be anything.”

        The American hot dog, for the record, got its name in 1901. Cartoonist Tad Dorgan was at New York's Polo Grounds, watching concessionaires hawking hot sausages. They called them “Dachshund sausages,” probably because of the long, skinny shape.

        Mr. Dorgan drew a cartoon for the next day's paper showing barking sausages in warm buns. But he couldn't spell dachshund — spelling isn't always a long suit with artists — so he called them hot dogs.

        If you have a stupid question, send it to Ask a Stupid Question, Cincinnati Enquirer, 312 Elm St., Cincinnati OH 45202; fax: 768-8330; e-mail: knipenquirer@yahoo.com.
       

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