Dip Dog

In parts of Appalachia - especially southwest Virginia and northeast Tennessee - a dip dog (or dipdog) is a battered, deep-fried hot dog on a stick, much like a corn dog but with its own local name and tradition.

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #FoodandDrink

synonyms: corn dog, battered hot dog, fair dog

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I thought everybody called a corn dog a 'dip dog,' but apparently it's just use hillbillies.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I thought everybody called a corn dog a 'dip dog,' but apparently it's just use hillbillies.

Pronunciation

[DIP-dawg] /ˈdɪp dɔːɡ/

Meaning & Usage

- Battered hot dog on a stick (noun)

Billy:

Pull over, I see the Dip Dog Stand up ahead!

Mama:

Get me two dip dogs with extra mustard.

variations: dip dog, dip-dog, dipdog, batter-dipped hot dog, Appalachian corn dog

★ Dip dogs aren’t just food - they’re a roadside tradition. If you grew up in southwest Virginia or northeast Tennessee, you probably have a Dip Dog Stand memory. ★

Origin and Etymology

The term "dip dog" rose to prominence with the Dip Dog Stand in Marion, Virginia (opened in the 1950s). From there it spread through neighboring Appalachian towns, especially in northeast Tennessee. Outside this region, people almost always say "corn dog."

Usage Notes

Dip dog - local Appalachian name for a battered hot dog on a stick ("Let’s get a dip dog on the way home.")
Dip-dog / dipdog - variant spellings; all refer to the same food.
Uniquely regional - most outsiders will only know "corn dog."
Tied to nostalgia and roadside culture in southwest Virginia and northeast Tennessee.
Still used today in local restaurants, county fairs, and especially at the Dip Dog Stand in Marion, VA.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Is a "dip dog" the same as a corn dog?

Very close - it’s the Appalachian name for a battered hot dog on a stick, but the batter may be slightly different and the name is deeply local.

Where did "dip dog" originate?

With the Dip Dog Stand in Marion, Virginia, spreading into northeast Tennessee and surrounding Appalachian towns.

Do people outside Appalachia know "dip dog"?

Rarely - outside the region it’s almost always called a corn dog.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 25). Dip Dog. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/dip-dog
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Dip Dog." HillbillySlang.com, 25 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/dip-dog.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Dip Dog." HillbillySlang.com. September 25, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/dip-dog.

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