Why do they call it a "hamburger" and not a cow burger?

Answer 1

Actually, hamburger is a shortening of "hamburg steak," which are named after Hamburg, Germany, where they originated. It's named after Hamburg, Germany. They got it from the Russians, modified it to their regional tastes, and named it the hamburg steak. When they introduced it to the U.S., we shortened it to "hamburger". German immigrants introduced the recipe to the US. The term "hamburger" is believed to have appeared in 1834 on the menu from Delmonico's restaurant in New York but there is no surviving recipe for the meal. The first mention in print of "Hamburg steak" was made in 1884 in the Boston Evening Journal. The honor of producing the first proper hamburger goes to Charlie Nagreen of Seymour, WI. In 1885 Nagreen introduced the American hamburger at the Outgamie County Fair in Seymour. (Seymour is recognized as the hamburger capital of the world.)

Answer 2

There's a perfectly good etymological explanation for this. It's because the phrase "burger" didn't have any meaning until after hamburgers had already been invented.

Here's my synopsis of what google articles have to say about the history of hamburgers:

> HAMBURGER HISTORY:
Hamburgers origininated with the Mongols, who favored ground beef because it was easy to eat while riding. It was prepared into a patty, but there was no "bun" or anything else resembling the modern 'burger. It was also eaten raw.

In the 13th century the Mongols brought ground beef to Moscow (when they invaded it), and the Russians named it "Steak Tartare".

In the 17th century, it was brought to Hamburg (Germany), and renamed "Tartare Steak".

in the late 18th century, shops along the New York City harbors offered "Steak cooked in the Hamburg style" to attract the business of German sailors. At the time, the meat was little more than a slab of salted minced beef. Still not really a hamburger.

In the 19th century, after mechanical meat grinders had been invented, it is widely believed that the first printed appearance of "hamburgers" was on the menu of New York's Delmonico's restaurant.

As an aside, the Delmonico Steak (the rib eye steak), which in my opinion is the tastiest of all cuts, originates from this same restaurant.

> ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION:
To answer your question, the reason "cow burger" wouldn't have been chosen (or made any sense) is that the phrase "burger" did not originally refer to "ground meat". It was only a part of the name "Hamburger".

Answer 3

It's actually hamburg-er. As it originated from Hamburg, Germany.

Answer 4

Because of where it originated - in the city of Hamburg in Germany.

Answer 5

hamburgers used to b made out of ham

Answer 6

I think it was invented in hamburg, Germany.

Answer 7

it was first made in Hamburg, Germany

Answer 8

Because would we eat it if it was called a "cow burger"? I wouldn't.

Answer 9

For a complete history, check out this link

Answer 10

I think b'cos they use Ham as an ingredient in it...and not a cow!!!!...