The fact that the dictionary doesn’t even list hotdish as a word clearly proves my point. A hot dish is one of two things: it’s either an old-school slang name for a pretty girl, or it’s a dish that is hot (like, say, what a dish might feel like after you cook a casserole in it).

The most telling sign, to me, is the basic "how does it sound" test. For example, it obviously sounds better to say "tater tot casserole" than it does to say "tater tot hotdish." The spuds have it – case closed.

I know people who refer to soda as Coke, even if it is orange soda. They also throw salt shakers instead of passing them around the table. And I've never heard of a "tavern" as a sloppy joe.

Creme of Mushroom or Tomato soup/sauce.

I think a casserole has to be baked. But a hotdish can be baked or just mixed hot.

We grew up hotdish. We only heard of casserole in books or on tv.

Tavern is where we go to have a few beers after supper.

Yes, i've heard of sandwiches being called Taverns. My Nanna (who lives in N. Iowa) made "taverns" once for a family reunion. She browned hamburger and ground pork and combined that mixture with onions and something else (can't quite remember the entire recipe) and served it on a bun. My mom (also originally fom N. Iowa) calls such sandwiches Made-Rites. They are usually browned hamburger mixed with ketchup, mustard and chili powder and served on a bun (tastes great with a pickle!).

As for the casserole/hot dish debate ... i think a hot dish is a main dish/meal, i.e. tator tot hot dish and a casserole is a side dish, i.e. green bean casserole. Is there room for both terms in our culinary vocabulary?

To my ma the dish was called BBQ hamburger. Pretty simple and straightforward but I know on "Roseanne" they were called loose meat sandwiches and I've also eaten Tendermaid sandwiches which are basically the same thing.

As far as the casserole.hot dish debate; hot dish is made at home, casseroles are given to grieving families after a death.