Where the name slider comes from
It never occurred to me to wonder where the name "slider" came from until I got an e-mail from a reader asking me.
What I do remember is that when they first started to appear on restaurant menus I was surprised that it was a name everyone had heard of for mini-burgers except me.
So I looked it up on the Internet and here's the explanation I found:
In 1994 White Castle was granted a U.S. trademark on the term "slyders" which derived from the way the burgers slide out of their cardboard boxes. ...
You know, that raises more questions than it answers, at least in my mind. Do we call them sliders with an "i" because with a "y" is trademarked? Why didn't White Castle call them sliders with an "i" in the first place if it had to do with how the burgers slid out of the cardbox box?
Why are three sliders considered an appetizer in trendy restaurants when they are clearly as much food as a regular burger? The Village Square Cafe, where I saw them last, even serves them with an enormous pile of fries. Some appetizer.
And why did the name "slider" catch on so fast? It certainly seems to have no connection with a miniature patty of beef on a little bun.
The sliders pictured, by the way, were taken at Luckie's Tavern.
(Doug Kapustin/Sun photographer)
Comments
Sliders and nails: Chicago in a sack.
Posted by: Danaan Bataar | July 3, 2009 5:33 PM
I think the appetizer denotation is because they are easier to share than a traditional burger.
Posted by: matt hudock | July 3, 2009 6:20 PM
When I was in the Navy, burgers were always called "sliders".
The conventional "wisdom" then was that they were called sliders because the greasy burgers would slide down your throat. The Navy has always called them sliders, and the burgers they served were, at best, McDonald's quality. Back then, they were prepared with cheese and roll,(no condiments) then put in a steamer chest until lunchtime. They were available on the "speed line", and you got fries with them as well. They were very popular among those who would wolf them down and then take a nap, called a "nooner" back then.
Posted by: PCB Rob | July 3, 2009 7:05 PM
I agree with Rob... the term "sliders" has been used in the Navy for at least 40 years.... burgers were usually put on the line in large grease-dripping-filled pans... they would aslide off of your tray if the ship rolled, or down your throat if you were fast enough.
Posted by: AC Richardson | July 3, 2009 7:33 PM
From my understanding since being out here in White Castle country, the term slider references the ease of eating and the ease of excreting. Sorry!
Posted by: LEC | July 3, 2009 10:47 PM
Without putting too fine a point on this, and strictly as a language research item, I think LEC is expressing the common wisdom passed on by older to younger patrons of the Little Tavern/Club LT/"Home of the Slider": "Slide right in, ..."
Posted by: chowsearch | July 4, 2009 2:26 AM
Club LT sliders were the best
R.I.P Little Tavern
Posted by: MDP | July 4, 2009 4:08 PM
I have fond memories of Club LT burgers from my youth. We considered the small ones to be definitely better than the large ones.
That said, I have a feeling that if I went back in a time machine and had one of them today I probably wouldn't be quite as impressed. Some things are probably best left to memory.
Posted by: Hal Laurent | July 4, 2009 4:57 PM
Agree with Hal
Posted by: Anonymous | July 4, 2009 7:49 PM