Hamburger vs hamburg

[Mark Odegard]

I have heard 'hamburg', but it was from a Connecticut-raised roommate. He
used it for ground beef, and not for the sandwich (which was a hamburger or
a hamburg sandwich).

My perception of the current 'standard AmE' usage is that a three-way
distinction has developed: ground beef, ground beef patties, and hamburgers.
You buy ground beef to make ground beef patties, which in turn are used to
make hamburgers.

I don't think you can buy 'hamburger' in the meat section of a supermarket
any more. It's always ground beef.

Nonetheless, 'hamburger' still persists as a term for the meat, much like
'tin foil' is used for 'aluminum foil'.
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