Hamburger
/ˈhæmˌbɝːɡər/noun
A ground-beef patty, typically served in a sliced bun, or the sandwich containing it.
Did you know?In the late nineteenth century, “Hamburg steak” referred to seasoned minced beef associated with Hamburg-style cuisine before “hamburger” became the shorter American name for the sandwich.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bhergh-
“To rise or become high; the root later developed meanings connected with hills and fortified heights.”
Proto-Germanic
Germanic
*burgs
“A fortified place or stronghold.”
8th–9th Century
Old High German
burg
“A fortification, castle, or fortified settlement.”
9th Century
Latin / Old Saxon
Hammaburg
“The fortified settlement of Hamma, the name of the city later known as Hamburg.”
19th Century
English
Hamburg steak
“A dish of minced or chopped beef associated with Hamburg-style preparation.”
Late 19th–Early 20th Century
American English
hamburger
“A Hamburg-style minced-beef dish, later especially a beef patty served in a bun.”