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Origin and history of weenie

weenie(n.)

"frankfurter," 1906, with slang sense of "penis" following soon after, from German wienerwurst "Vienna sausage" (see wiener).

The meaning "ineffectual person, effeminate young man" is slang from 1963; pejorative sense via penis shape, or perhaps from or bolstered by weeny "very small."

Entries linking to weenie

"tiny, very small," 1790, from wee (adj.) + ending as in teeny (from tiny). As a noun, "very young child," by 1844.

1900, shortening of wienerwurst (1874, American English), from German Wiener "of Vienna" (from Wien; see Vienna) + Wurst "sausage" (see wurst). Colloquial wienie is attested by 1911 (see weenie). The extensive pejorative senses seem to have developed from its penis-like shape. Also compare weeny. Wiener roast is attested by 1910.

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