Definition of weenie

The origin of the word "weenie" can be traced back to the early 20th century, specifically to the era when hot dogs were gaining in popularity in the United States. Initially, hot dogs were just referred to as "frankfurters," but in the 1920s, the term "hot dog" began to replace this more formal name. One possible origin of the word "weenie" is that it is a contraction of the term "wienerwurst," which is German for "Vienna sausage." The term "wienerwurst" was used to describe hot dogs in their early days, as they were originally created in Germany by a butcher named Johann Georg Lahner. Another possible origin of the word "weenie" is that it is a shortened version of the phrase "whittle endie," which was used to describe the small, thin end of a hot dog that was left over after the rest of the sausage had been eaten. In this context, "whittle endie" could be interpreted as a diminutive for " Wienie," which would eventually lead to the more concise term "weenie." Regardless of its exact origin, it's clear that "weenie" has become a beloved term in the English language, and it's used to describe not just hot dogs but any small, thin food item, such as cocktail sausages or hot dogs that have been sliced into thin rounds.