Tailgaiting origins belong to America

Grilled hot dogs, never-ending soda, face paint and fans: Who doesn't love tailgating? While the beloved tradition of football grew in America, tailgating quickly echoed its popularity.

Even though the origins appear quite fuzzy, this "gorging before the game" is in all American football fans' sights.

Just how much do we love tailgating? Well, a 2001 Weber Grillwatch Survey states that 4 million people bought portable grills with the intention of tailgating. To add some weight to the point, Americans allegedly purchased 350 million pounds of hot dogs last year. Even though this research was done by an organization named the "Hot dog and Sausage Council," I think it's safe to say we like meat.

How did this commonplace event of grilling up the meaty treats and downing hundreds of soda pops come to be?

Many theories hold claim. Joe Cahn, the founder of New Orleans's School of cooking and in his twelfth year of tailgating, proclaims he is the creator of tailgating. However, many are skeptical.

Another likely tale suggests that after a long travel by railcar, students attending the 1904 Harvard vs. Yale game cooked up some dinner before the match and kept the tradition alive.

Still, author of "A tailgater's guide to SEC Football," Chris Warner says the tradition traces back much further. Back, even,  to  after the civil war when the first organized football game between Princeton and Rutgers took place in the fall of 1869. It is said the fans traveled by carriage and made a fish dinner shortly before the game.

Being the new kid on the block, America is often criticized for its non-originality. We have Italian and Chinese food.

However, tailgating is something we can call our very own. While the origins are not clear, it is clear they all began in the United States.

So kudos Harvard fans, post-civil war Princeton supporters or Joe Cahn; you've created a one of a kind American tradition!

From lawn chairs to soda pop to hotdogs and hamburgers, tailgating is an all-American activity, which is surely bound to stay around.

As long as they give us football, we'll be stuffing our faces and painting our chests. So join in, Sycamores, and get your tail to that gate.