Buzz
Sausages, affectionately referred to as 'bangers' by the British, are a favorite food enjoyed by millions worldwide. However, sausages sometimes take on an even stranger role—one that goes beyond mere consumption and dives into the bizarre and quirky.
10. The Sausage Addiction Phenomenon
Conquering addiction requires a remarkable level of insight and courage. One such courageous individual, David Harding, has admitted to being hopelessly addicted to sausages. Harding claims he desperately needs professional help to overcome the severe effects of his sausage obsession.
Like many addicts, David keeps a secret stash of his beloved sausages hidden in his freezer. This ensures that withdrawal symptoms are kept at bay, but when his supply starts running low, he enters a state of sheer panic. As David himself puts it: 'I simply cannot imagine a life without sausages.'
Determined to confront his addiction, David has spent over $2,000 on treatments, though with limited success so far. He consumes up to 13 sausages each day and frequently finds himself searching for more, filled with guilt. Like most addicts, David has a preferred 'drug,' and his choice of sausages is McWhinney’s Irish Pork Sausages.
David’s psychiatrist, who appears well-versed in handling such cases, believes that his addiction is not physical. However, the true expert in this matter is Kevin McWhinney, the managing director of McWhinney’s Sausages. McWhinney has shared his sausages with millions globally and remarked: 'We are happy that this gentleman enjoys our sausages, but we wish him the best in managing his habit.'
9. The Cult of Sausage Worship
While preparing dinner for her family, Krod Yotchomrang made a disturbing discovery: the body of a kitten hidden inside a sausage. Overcome with nausea, she almost vomited at the sight. While most grandmothers would demand compensation and make a scene, Krod was not your typical old lady. Instead, she chose to create a small shrine for the kitten, lighting incense and offering prayers in its honor.
News of the shrine spread quickly, and soon, people from all walks of life—friends, neighbors, and even strangers—came to visit. Surprisingly, those who prayed at the shrine began to experience remarkable improvements in their lives. Krod and her friends allegedly even won money from several lottery tickets, suggesting that the Shrine of the Holy Sausage brought good fortune.
Local authorities, skeptical of the shrine’s purported powers, began investigating the incident. They were puzzled by the unusual sight of a kitten inside a sausage and initially suspected the manufacturer of using questionable ingredients. Eventually, their investigation revealed that the kitten had likely sneaked into a sausage pipeline at the factory.
What could have been a scandalous affair turned into a bizarre yet heartwarming story, and the shrine has since become a popular tourist attraction. It’s likely to remain a symbol of luck for many years to come. Long live Saint Kitty.
8. The Misogynistic Sausage
What does a male sausage look like? Would you be offended if male sausages were displayed in your local supermarket? These questions may sound strange, but they are relevant, as the German supermarket chain Edeka has introduced male and female sausages for sale. This has sparked outrage among some people who are upset by the fact that the ‘Frauen’ (female) sausages are ‘lean’ and half the size of the ‘Männer’ (male) sausages. To make matters even worse, the female sausages are priced higher. Apparently, the female sausages contain higher-quality meat.
One of the critics of this gendered marketing is political scientist Antje Schrupp, who stated: 'Of course, you can dismiss it as a joke, and many sausage buyers will likely do just that. But the choice of names and the accompanying advertisements still reflect and reinforce a—at best—careless normative sexism, which assigns a 'right' role to each gender, with an inherent hierarchy.' The campaign allegedly implies that men should eat large quantities of meat, while women are expected to eat less and focus on their weight.
Journalist Susanne Enz also voiced her concerns, pointing out that the message seems to suggest: 'Women are there to please, while men are allowed to indulge.' However, some people were puzzled by the uproar, noting that women could easily choose to buy the ‘Männer’ sausages if they wished.
Will Edeka supermarket back down and offer gender-neutral sausages? Only time will tell. For now, the male and female sausages remain on the shelves, but be sure to eat both kinds so that you don't come off as sexist.
7. Sausage For The Birds
A barbecue is a perfect opportunity to gather friends and share a meal, and uninvited guests are usually more than welcome—especially when the guest is a bird hoping for a free snack. In Australia, this often means a kookaburra, a meat-loving bird that looks like an oversized kingfisher and is best known for its laughter-like call. But don't take it personally if a kookaburra laughs at you—she might just be eyeing your sausage.
In 2010, a kookaburra was found grounded and taken to Taronga Zoo in Sydney. While it was initially thought that the bird had suffered a broken wing, it was later discovered that Kookie weighed a substantial 540 grams (19 ounces)—a full 40% heavier than a typical kookaburra. She wasn’t grounded by injury; she was simply too heavy to fly. For a change, it was the humans who found her predicament amusing.
However, the situation was far from humorous. Kookie had become overweight from overindulging in sausage barbecue scraps and needed rescuing after being attacked by dogs. Zoo officials warned that well-meaning people were harming the creatures they intended to help: 'I've seen many kookaburras, but never one so overweight. In the wild, she’d feast on small animals and get a more balanced diet. Butchers' sausages are just too rich for her.'
Kookie was put on a sausage-free diet to lose weight and regain her ability to fly. Perhaps, in her mind, there’s nothing strange about lounging at a barbecue, stuffing her beak with sausage, and laughing at cheesy jokes. For her, anything else is just for the birds, and she seems more human than most of us.
6. The Sausage Standoff
Wielding a sausage like a weapon is usually a sign of trouble, but in the case of Rudolf Virchow, threatening with a sausage might have actually saved his life when he found himself on the verge of death in a duel. But let’s take a step back to understand the context.
Otto von Bismarck, the influential Prussian statesman, ruled European politics from the 1860s through to the 1890s. But in 1865, Rudolf Virchow, a scientist and political adversary, made waves by openly criticizing Bismarck’s hefty military expenditures.
Everyone knows someone like Virchow, who takes every opportunity to point out flaws. In his investigation of a typhus outbreak, Virchow meticulously analyzed the correlation between the illness and various factors such as location, education, income, and housing. After carefully considering these elements, Virchow deduced that overcrowding caused by poverty and lack of education was behind the epidemic. In his analysis, Virchow boldly placed the blame on Bismarck’s leadership, accusing the Prussian statesman of indirectly causing the typhus outbreaks. How could Bismarck defend himself against such a damning conclusion?
In a moment of exasperation, Bismarck issued a challenge to Virchow for a duel. This was a dangerous proposition for Virchow. Bismarck was renowned for his sharpshooting abilities, while Virchow’s knowledge of pistols was, at best, minimal. He seemed destined to meet his end. But Virchow wasn’t ready to give up just yet—he had wit…and sausages!
Although the specifics are unclear, multiple biographies mention that, as the one who had been challenged, Virchow had the right to choose the weapons for their duel. He decided to bring two sausages for the occasion.
One of the sausages was perfectly normal, while the other, though it looked the same, was secretly filled with deadly Trichinella larvae. Bismarck would pick one sausage to eat, and Virchow would consume the remaining one. By employing this devious sausage strategy, Virchow increased his chances of survival to a solid 50 percent. Reluctantly, Bismarck withdrew his challenge, and Virchow’s sausage trick had saved his life.
5. A Degree in Sausage
Germany is now officially the sausage capital of the world, thanks to the creation of a "Sausage Academy" where students can earn a certificate in their favorite meaty delicacy. Located in Neumarkt, this sausage institution offers aspiring experts the chance to master the ideal lagers, mustards, and music to pair with various sausages. Enthusiastic learners can even continue their studies and pursue a master's degree in Germany’s prized culinary gem: the Bavarian White. Are you already salivating at the thought of this delicious education?
It remains uncertain whether the allure of regular free samples for students is a major factor in their decision to enroll, but so far, 1,300 students have completed their certificates. Academy head Wittmann proudly claims: "I have students from all around the globe, and I'm thrilled to spread the word about the wonders of German sausage."
4. The Sausage Museum
While tourists can visit countless museums dedicated to natural history, law enforcement, computers, and more, the coolest and most exciting museum experience can now be found in Berlin. Here, visitors can learn about the beloved currywurst—pork sausage served with spicy curried ketchup—at the Currywurst Museum, a place where enthusiasts can dive into the rich history of this iconic snack.
The sausage museum offers an interactive experience that engages all your senses. There’s a spice chamber, aroma stations, and even a sausage sofa placed in the middle of a flowing sauce stream. Visitors can indulge in massive portions of fries and, of course, sample the famous currywurst.
The exhibits explore the various ways sausages are sold, from street vendors to bars and clubs. You can learn about the spices paired with specific sausages, the eating habits tied to them, biodegradable disposable utensils, and the portrayal of Berlin’s legendary sausage in film and television. Whether you're new to sausages or a seasoned expert, this museum is a must-visit.
3. The Hairy Sausage
One of the strangest-looking sausages in existence is the haired sausage, a Russian invention. While it may be considered unattractive, it has gained popularity thanks to Russian bloggers spreading the word online. Its creation involves inserting pieces of hard spaghetti into the sausage, making it resemble a hedgehog. After boiling it, the 'hairy sausage' is ready to be enjoyed.
The internet's fascination with the haired sausage has sparked a trend, and it’s only a matter of time before this furry treat shows up on your plate. More and more people are creating their own versions of the hairy frankfurter. Why settle for a plain bald sausage when you can try this innovative version?
2. Most Sausages Eaten in One Minute
Some prefer to enjoy their meal slowly, savoring every bite as if it were a fine wine. Others, however, rush through their food like there’s no tomorrow. While the latter is typically considered impolite, it becomes a competitive edge when you’re aiming for fame and fortune. And in that case, it’s the perfect time to gorge on sausages.
This brings us to the world record for the most sausages eaten in one minute. The current record-holder is Stefan Paladin from New Zealand, who devoured a staggering eight whole sausages at the Erion Stadium in Auckland on July 22, 2001. That’s one sausage every 7.5 seconds! Each sausage measured 10 centimeters (4 inches) in length and 2 centimeters (0.8 inches) in diameter.
It's unclear whether Stefan is some kind of mutant or just has an extraordinarily tough throat, but all subsequent attempts to surpass his record have fallen short. One such event, held in New Zealand, saw most contestants failing to eat even two sausages in a minute. The event's winner managed to consume a total of four sausages and claimed a prize, but it's evident that even the most devoted sausage enthusiasts hesitate at the thought of devouring eight sausages per minute. Achieving worldwide fame isn't as easy as it once was, but for those who adore sausages, it remains a fun challenge.
1. The Longest Sausage
Officially recognized and undeniably impressive, the record for the longest sausage ever made stands at 59.14 kilometers (36.75 miles). If you were to walk at a normal pace, it would take you a solid 20 hours of continuous walking to traverse its full length.
The remarkable sausage that holds this record was crafted by J.J. Tranfield of Sheffield, UK, on behalf of Asda Stores. It took three full days, from October 27 to October 29, 2000, to complete. A representative from the Guinness Book of Records, Sara Wilcox, shared that despite many attempts over the years, the record remains unbroken, stating, 'There are some records that have withstood the test of time, and this is one of them.'
Wilcox mentioned that Guinness makes a distinction between the world’s largest sausage based on weight and one based on its length. There are also other intriguing variations, such as the 'longest vegetarian sausage' (100 meters/331 ft 4 in), the 'longest smoked sausage' (482 meters/1,581 ft 5 in), and the 'longest sausage chain' (1,500 meters/4,921 ft 3 in).
Racing Sausage Stolen
In 2013, a group of hardened criminals made off with the costume of Guido, an Italian sausage, which is part of the Milwaukee Brewers’ famous Racing Sausages. These oversized sausage costumes are worn by individuals who race around a track, much to the delight of sausage enthusiasts in the crowd. The stolen costume was spotted in a few local bars before vanishing without a trace.
The news caused a stir in Milwaukee, with a year’s worth of mustard offered as a reward to anyone who could return the stolen costume. Detectives certainly worked tirelessly on the case, but the sausage-napping mystery of the century went unsolved for two full weeks.
Then, perhaps due to the police closing in on the culprits, the $3,000 sausage costume was mysteriously dropped off at a bar by two individuals, who advised witnesses to 'say nothing.' It seems the thieves will forfeit the reward, leaving the case of the missing sausage unsolved forever, possibly joining the ranks of Jack the Ripper and Atlantis.
Consider this at your next barbecue or epic showdown, or when a kookaburra laughs at you: Sausage has woven itself into the fabric of our culture and way of life. After all, every young man adores his sausage, and the same goes for every young woman.
