DJ asked the question "why do we call it hamburger, when its beef not pork?". It was also pointed out to me that our favorite fast breakfast, 1/4 lb sausage patty & cheese on toast IS a hamburger. Anyone have the answer why we call it a hamburger? My reputation as "walking encyclopedia" is on the line on this one. Thanks

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), November 17, 2000

Answers

Because it originated in Hamburg, Germany???????

-- Christina (introibo@address.com), November 17, 2000.

That's also the reason I have always here. Some in Hamberg, Germany created a chopped beef dish and it became to be called hamburger beef.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), November 17, 2000.

"...the hamburger first appeared in the US in 1884 under the name of 'Hamburg steak' after its place of origin, Hamburg, Germany. But the town of Hamburg, NY claims (it) was invented there in the summer of 1885... at the Erie Conty Fair. Since the first recorded use of 'hamburger' seems to have been 1902... Hamburg, NY could be the source... see Frankfurter... The frankfurter is named after Franfurt, Germany,where it was first made centuries ago..." from The Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins by Robert Hendrickson. Now the question is, Is the hamburger American or German??? I vote American!

-- Matthew in Central Illinois (matt777harris@webtv.net), November 17, 2000.

I vote Irish - what their faces looked like after a FRIENDLY fight.

-- JLS in NW AZ (stalkingbull007@AOL.com), November 17, 2000.

Hi folks. We live just a stones throw from Hamburg, NY. Yes their claim to fame is the fact that the hamburger did in fact originate there. Some of the local chefs decided to creat a new dish that used ground beef and could be used to feed the crowd with a meal in a hand while at the fair. Hope this gets you off the hook with you children. It helped to settle some heated discussions with our own grandchildren.

-- Gerald S. Rozanski (Grozanski56@cs.com), November 17, 2000.

Thanks to all. I'll show this to DJ when he gets home from school.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), November 17, 2000.

Traditionally, hamburger is a beef/pork mix. That is why what we buy in the store is labelled "Ground Beef."

-- Laura (gsend@hotmail.com), November 17, 2000.

According to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)standards, hamburger meat may be designated either "hamburger," "chopped beef," or "ground beef." It must be ground from fresh beef with no by- products or nonmeat extenders, but the USDA does permit the inclusion of loose beef fat and seasonings in meat labeled "hamburger." Also, by law, hamburger and chopped or ground beef sold commercially may contain no more than 30 percent fat. Fifteen percent fat is regarded as the ideal proportion in terms of juiciness and flavour of the cooked product. Course homesteaders can make it however they want. Just commercial sellers are bound by the law.

-- JLS in NW AZ (stalkingbull007@AOL.com), November 18, 2000.

I can't understan how americans and their simpleminded brains could come out with the idea that 'Hamburger' is American word....it does not have American origin at all!!!What,have they forgoten when their country was announced?And,further more,who the BEEP did make their country what it is now?They MUST never forget that we,Europeans,discovered their land,and that we Europeans made them what they are now.As for the origin of the word 'Homburger',it comes from the mid centuries and the people called themselves Tartars.Then these people introduced the dish to the Germans and only afterwards when the Germans emigrated to the so called then 'New World' or now North America' did they introduce it in America.That is sth that is elementary history and let Americans know that they invented almost nothing but the telephone.And I doubt that if you ask an American who did so he/she will look like a animal looks before being killed.So let me tell you American chaps,Alexander Bell did :)! C'ya at the nexr class...if you pass that one :)

-- paul (pappys@ireland.com), April 02, 2001.

So why do some folks call frankfurters "hotdogs"????? Kinda like that "you say tomato and I say...etc.!

-- Marcia (HrMr@webtv.net), April 03, 2001.

What's the difference between muskmelon and cantalope?

-- Cindy in Ky (solidrockranch@hotmail.com), April 03, 2001.

Better yet, stupid and ignorant?

-- Lynn Goltz (lynngoltz@aol.com), April 03, 2001.