On Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at 1:54:53 PM UTC-8, Janet Wilder wrote:
> On 2/10/2015 9:56 PM, Kalmia wrote:
> > Is this just a new name for an old food idea?
> >
>
> AFAIK, "sliders" was a nickname for White Castle hamburgers. It was
> popular with people from Chicago. It has something to do with how easy
> they are to eat and how they exit the body after digestion. I first
> heard the term from clients of mine from Chicago and they gave me the
> interpretation.
>

The White Castles and their brethren* were pioneering. First, with their
glossy white tiles and endless stainless steel, they were meant to suggest
absolute purity of sanitation. No more the danger of food poisoning from
a "greasy spoon." The burgers are not only thin, to speed up cooking, but
there are holes in them, to allow steam to escape. (A White Castle is
essentially steamed, rather than fried.) The packaging is likewise hygienic.

(*My in-laws recall going to White Tower years ago, in Detroit.)