5. Nathan’s Hired Homeless People

There is some speculation as to the origin of the term “hot dog.” Some historians believe it came from snide insinuations that some stores’ processed meats were so unhealthy, they might as well be dog meat. Nathan Handwerker must have been aware of this. Homeless people (and actors) were hired by the fast-food entrepreneur to impersonate doctors and nurses sitting at Nathan’s counter eating the sausages. It was a trick, but a successful trick at that, bringing in thousands of customers to the Coney Island location every weekend.