There’s a uniquely American form anxiety that crops up at bar-b-ques when the person grilling asks: “Hot dog or hamburger?” Because there’s probably some law in the Constitution that says you can’t have both. So you choose one, throw up a prayer to the Lord, and hope you made the right decision. But now, an Australian who has no respect for American values has created a bun that lets you eat a burger and a dog simultaneously.
Back in 2004, Australian Mark Murray had a divine revelation while vacationing in America. “I had the idea on holiday when I was leaving a bar in Nashville,” he told CNBC. “I grabbed a burger and a hot dog as I was really hungry. I was sitting in the car eating them both at the same time and my wife was looking at me like I was an idiot.” So this mad culinary scientist got to work and created a bun that accommodates both meaty delights and named it the Hamdog.
Murray would eventually patent his creation in 2009, and two months ago, the Hamdog made its debut Down Under to a stunning success. Now, Australians can find the Hamdog—complete with lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, mustard, and ketchup—at sporting events and it’s coming to the U.S. next year. “America’s a bloody big place, they consume around 50 billion burgers a year,” Murray told CNBC. “If we pick up even one percent of that market, then that’s still around $2.5 billion a year.”
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.