“Spam” is commonly understood as unsolicited electronic messages, typically commercial in nature, received without the recipient’s consent. Our article on addressing this issue, including the possibility of financial compensation, can be found here: dedicated article. This discussion will focus on the word’s origins.
Early Origins: A Failed Marketing Campaign for Pork
In 1937, Hormel Foods launched a marketing campaign for a spiced pork product, which they branded “Spam” (Spiced Pork And Ham). This campaign proved to be less successful than intended, resulting in “Spam” becoming synonymous with unappetizing, undesirable canned meat.
1970s: Monty Python’s “Flying Circus” Revives the Failed Product – with a Twist
The creators of the iconic British comedy series, “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” (late 1960s-1980s), repurposed “Spam.” In a 1970s skit, a restaurant scene features a waitress repeatedly mentioning “Spam” in response to menu inquiries, eventually replacing nearly all menu items with the word. The repetitive and incessant nature of the “Spam” references, coupled with a Viking chorus singing “Spam,” highlighted its unwanted and intrusive nature. This skit’s widespread viewership embedded “spam” in British culture, obscuring its connection to Hormel.
1990s: “Spam” Becomes Unsolicited Email
Later, computer users familiar with Monty Python began using “spam” metaphorically to describe unwanted and irrelevant information. By the early 1990s, online users adopted “spam” as a term for unsolicited commercial email. To differentiate, the capitalized form, SPAM, denotes Hormel’s product, while lowercase “spam” refers to unsolicited electronic messages.
Therefore, when using the term in English, correct spelling is essential to avoid unintended legal implications.
