A frankfurter is a type of cooked sausage, usually made from beef or pork, that Americans more commonly call a hot dog. The name comes from Frankfurt, Germany, where this style of sausage was first made centuries ago. German immigrants brought frankfurters to America in the 1800s, and they became wildly popular at baseball games, street carts, and backyard cookouts.

Frankfurters are typically grilled or boiled, then served in a long, soft bun. People top them with mustard, ketchup, relish, onions, or whatever else they like. At a baseball stadium, you might hear a vendor shouting, “Get your hot dogs here!” but the menu board might list them as frankfurters or franks for short.

The word sounds more formal than “hot dog,” so you're more likely to see frankfurter on a restaurant menu or food package than hear it in everyday conversation. Whether you call it a frankfurter, a hot dog, or a frank, you're talking about the same thing: one of America's most beloved foods, perfect for summer picnics and ball games.