Wiener
/ˈwiːnər/
The word wiener primarily refers to a type of sausage, especially a hot dog, but can also mean a person from Vienna or serve as slang for the penis, depending on context.
Examples
- They renamed the dog 'Little Wiener' because of his short legs.
- I ordered a hot wiener with mustard and onions.
- The famous composer was a true wiener, born and raised in the city.
- We wieners at the barbecue last night.
- The street vendor sells grilled wieners all day.
Meanings
The word wiener comes from the German adjective wiener, meaning 'from Vienna'. It was originally part of the compound Wiener Wurst, a type of sausage developed in Vienna, Austria. The term was borrowed into English in the late 19th century as both the food and the name spread internationally.
Examples
- I ordered a hot wiener with mustard and onions.
- The street vendor sells grilled wieners all day.
- We wieners at the barbecue last night.
- These wieners are made from organic beef.
- She prefers turkey wieners over pork ones.
Derived directly from the German demonym Wiener, which combines the city name Wien (Vienna) with the agent suffix -er, indicating origin. Entered English as a loanword in the 19th century.
Examples
- The famous composer was a true wiener, born and raised in the city.
- The conference was attended by several prominent wieners.
- He identified proudly as a wiener despite living abroad.
- The art exhibition featured works by local wieners.
- Historical records list many notable wieners of the 18th century.
Emerges in mid-20th century American slang as a humorous euphemism, leveraging the phallic shape of the wiener sausage. It is a classic example of food-based slang for body parts.
Examples
- He made a joke about his wiener being too big for the bun.
- The cartoon character slipped on a banana peel and landed on his wiener.
- Kids giggled at the word wiener during lunch.
- The comedian's wiener jokes got him booed off stage.
- They renamed the dog 'Little Wiener' because of his short legs.