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• hot dog
  hot dog

  noun

  a frankfurter.
• hot-dog
  hot-dog

  verb (used without object)

  to perform unusual or very intricate maneuvers in a sport, especially surfing or skiing.

hot dog

¹ American  

[hot dawg, hot dawg] / ˈhɒt ˌdɔg, ˈhɒt ˈdɔg /

noun

1. a frankfurter.

2. a sandwich consisting of a frankfurter in a split roll, usually eaten with mustard, sauerkraut, or relish.

3. Informal. Also hotdog, hot dogger, hotdogger, hot-dogger

   1. a person who performs complex, showy, and sometimes dangerous maneuvers, especially in surfing or skiing.

   2. a show-off, especially in sports.

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interjection

1. Informal. (used to express great joy or delight.)

hot-dog ² American  

[hot-dawg, -dog] / ˈhɒtˌdɔg, -ˌdɒg /

Or hotdog

verb (used without object)

hot-dogged, hot-dogging

1. to perform unusual or very intricate maneuvers in a sport, especially surfing or skiing.

2. to perform in a recklessly or flamboyantly skillful manner, as in a sport or athletic activity; show off.

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adjective

1. skillful or excellent, as in sports performance.

2. of, indicating, or for a type of sports activity, especially surfing or skiing, in which intricate and potentially dangerous stunts are performed.

3. intended or done to draw attention; showy or sensational.

hot dog ¹ British  

noun

1. a person who performs showy acrobatic manoeuvres when skiing or surfing

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verb

1. (intr) to perform a series of manoeuvres in skiing, surfing, etc, esp in a showy manner

hot dog ² British  

noun

1. a sausage, esp a frankfurter, served hot in a long roll split lengthways

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hot dog Idioms  

1. A person who performs showy, often dangerous stunts, especially but not exclusively in sports; also, a showoff. For example, He was a shameless hot dog on the tennis court, smashing every ball , or She was a hot dog behind the wheel, screeching her wheels at every turn . The relation of this term to the edible hot dog is unknown. [ Colloquial ; c. 1900]

2. Also, hot diggety dog ; hot diggety . An interjection expressing delight or enthusiasm, as in Hot dog! What a great gift , or Hot diggety! We got the best concert tickets after all . [ Slang ; c. 1900]

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Etymology

Origin of hot dog¹

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900

Origin of hot-dog²

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Fifa president Gianni Infantino has said he will "personally bring a hot dog and a Coke" to anyone who buys a World Cup final ticket for $2m.

From BBC • May 7, 2026

“I’m dressed up as a hot dog, and I love it.”

From Barron's • May 4, 2026

You could fit them in a minor-league ballpark with room for the hot dog vendors.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026

I could get a hot dog topped with mustard, relish and onions served on a steamed bun.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

“Good thing you didn’t have that extra hot dog after all,” Audrey said.

From "Keep It Together, Keiko Carter" by Debbi Michiko Florence

Related Words

• frankfurter
• sausage