About the next thing that is truly American –– after mom’s apple pie –– is the hot dog.
We all know this wonderfully delectable concoction of meats, consisting of secret recipes in many cases, by various names. It has been referred to as a frank, ripper, weller, tube steak, mutt and an Italian dog. It was first invented in Germany in the year 1487, five years before Columbus discovered America, and its popularity has never slackened.
As I understand it, when it came to America in the late 18th century, it was eaten hot, without a roll or bread, and was first introduced at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. People had a hard time holding it because it was too hot. A very wise promoter thought up the idea of wrapping a roll around it. He cleaned up and spawned the sausage on a roll craze throughout our nation. It spread like wild fire from ballparks to street corners and into home kitchens as one of America’s favorite foods. Its convenience, good taste and nutrition keep Americans coming back for more.
The name "hot dog" is credited by historians to come from an editorial cartoonist, Tad Dorgan, who sketched the vendors at the New York polo grounds hawking their dachshund sausages. Unsure of how to spell dachshund, Dorgan wrote "hot dogs" beneath the drawing.
At the Township Council meeting last week, we heard about the great hot dog dilemma. A resolution was passed allowing 90 more days for vendors to renew their licenses –– a victory for the dirty water dogs, as we all know them.
Free enterprise, as long as it is legal and that taxes are being given to the proper authorities, must be allowed. Let the American way continue by permitting a certain number of entrepreneurs license to sell these time-honored foods we so proudly call the hot dog. They are a national institution, revered by many the world over.
If this invention by a German, improved and named by an Irish-American, and consumed by a Japanese who holds the world record for eating so many of them can stand the test of time –– which it has –– then who are we to stand in the way of our American heritage?
I’ll have two with mustard and kraut to go.
Arthur A. Sholty
Brick