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wiener

a smoked sausage, especially one served as a hot dog

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Where does the word "wiener" come from? It comes from German Wien, passing through German before entering English (1800s-1900s).

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Where does the word "wiener" come from? It comes from German Wien, passing through German before entering English (1800s-1900s).

Wiener’s story begins in German: Wien meant “the city of Vienna.” The German name for the city of Vienna. Within German, it grew into Wiener Wurst by 1800s. Literally "Vienna sausage", a smoked sausage style. It reached English by 1800s-1900s as wiener. Brought to the US by German-speaking immigrants. Today, wiener means a smoked sausage, especially one served as a hot dog.

  1. Stage 1 · German · medieval Wien "the city of Vienna", the German name for the city of Vienna.
  2. Stage 2 · German · 1800s Wiener Wurst "Vienna-style sausage", literally "Vienna sausage", a smoked sausage style.
  3. Stage 3 · English · 1800s-1900s wiener "a smoked sausage, or hot dog", brought to the US by German-speaking immigrants.

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