Is Bologna Just A Bigger Version Of A Hot Dog?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has federal guidelines surrounding processed meat, but these guidelines allow for the interchangeable

naming of wieners and bologna.

This means that per the U.S. government, bologna is just a bigger hot dog. However, the two foods come from distinct food cultures and are consumed in a different fashion.

Bologna's history traces back to Roman times in the city of Bologna, Italy, while hot dogs came to the U.S. by way of German immigrants from Vienna and Frankfurt.

However, both products are made of processed minced meat surrounded by casing, and both share a similarly nostalgic place in American culture.