What does weenie mean?
Weenie is an informal American word for a frankfurter or hot dog, especially a long, grilled or boiled sausage served in a bun. The word also refers disparagingly to a timid person who avoids conflict or backs down under pressure, as in “don’t be a weenie.” In childish or deliberately euphemistic speech, it can additionally mean the penis. These meanings share a deliberately familiar, sometimes teasing tone: the food sense is casual rather than formal, while the person sense is insulting. Although “hot dog” is generally the more neutral term on menus and in conversation, “weenie” remains common in the United States and Canada. Its spelling reflects the older term “wiener,” borrowed from German for “Viennese.” Context is essential because the same word can sound affectionate, childish, or insulting depending on which meaning is intended.
nounAn informal chiefly North American term for a frankfurter or hot dog; by extension, a person considered cowardly or timid. In childish or euphemistic use, it can also mean the penis.
- A frankfurter or hot dog, especially a long, grilled or boiled sausage served in a bun.
- A person regarded as timid, cowardly, or unwilling to face conflict.
- The penis, in childish or deliberately euphemistic speech.
"He claimed the grilled weenie was the best on the block."
"The food stand sold grilled weenies and cold drinks."
"Don’t be a weenie and tell everyone what happened."
Usually plural, although the singular is possible, especially when referring to one particular sausage.
"The stand sold weenies, buns, and cold drinks."
One word, two very different punchlines: a grilled hot dog—and a person who runs from trouble.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does weenie come from?
Weenie developed through an alteration of the spelling “wiener,” which was borrowed from the German Wiener, an abbreviation of Wiener Würstchen, meaning “Viennese sausage.” The word was established in American English by the early twentieth century and later developed the additional sense of a coward. Its close relatives include Wiener, Vienna, and Viennese, all associated with the German name for the city.
How weenie is actually used
The word is informal and has a familiar, sometimes teasing tone. “Hot dog” is generally more neutral for the food, while the sense meaning a coward is disparaging and the bodily sense is chiefly childish or euphemistic.
Easily confused with weenie
Wiener is another spelling for the sausage and the source form from which weenie developed, but it does not ordinarily carry the coward or childish bodily meanings.
Weeny is a chiefly dialectal spelling variant of the same word, while weenie is the standard American spelling.