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Why do We Call "Spam" Spam?

By John Occhi

Services for Real Estate Pros with AZ Veteran Notary Services CA BRE 01444168

September 19, 2009 08:14 PM

Just in case anyone reading this is not fully aware that the original context of the word SPAM is the brand name of a canned meat that was made popular during the second World War when there were shortages and rationing of many items across the country.

In any event, it is still sold on supermarket shelves today...I just don't know why.

Well, in any case I am in the midst of studying for my ePro designation and we are in the midst of a lesson on email. Whenever email and marketing are being discussed together, the topic will turn to SPAM as it is now commonly known in the 21st century,

What I find interesting is that the term was first coined in marketing as a result of a Monty Python skit. You have to enjoy British humor - it is not exactly the type of stuff we watch everyday here in the states - but it is funny, non the less.

OK, stop laughing and get back to work now...

SPECIAL THANK YOU TO SOUZA BELOW - WHAT WAS A LINK IS NOW A VIDEO

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Clermont, FL

John,

SPAM is always good fried with some mustard and cheese!!

Sep 19, 2009 08:15 PM

Charles Perkins

Charles G. Perkins, CPA - Burien, WA

After watching that I certainly felt I had been spamed.

Sep 19, 2009 08:21 PM

Bob & Leilani Souza

Souza Realty 916.408.5500 - Roseville, CA

Greater Sacramento Area Homes, Land & Investments

Here's the video that John was referring to:

Monty Python - Spam

Sep 19, 2009 08:25 PM

Bill Ladewig

LoanOfficerSchool.com - Escondido, CA

Experience Is Your Advantage

John, Spam is the state meat of Hawaii and if you have never had a Spam Burger you have not yet lived.

Ditto Johnny Davis, Johnny, you know how to live.

Dave Humphrey, Broker

RE/MAX Marketplace - Celebration, FL

Real Estate Advice You Can TRUST!

All us old timers have a fonder memory of "SPAM." I had a very poor childhood friend who frequently took mountain hikes with me, and our standard lunch was a loaf of bread and SPAM, his meat of choice.

Sep 19, 2009 10:42 PM

Wallace S. Gibson, CPM

Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA

LandlordWhisperer

My father (WWII fighter pilot) would not allow SPAM in our house or those small saussages....he ate too much of it during the war.....I LOVE finding where NEW words/terms come from!!

Sep 20, 2009 12:45 AM

Michael Setunsky

Woodbridge, VA

Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

John when I spent a tour in Viet Nam, Spam was a delightful supplement to boring C Rations. We used to alternate between Spam and Vienna Sausages. That was a long time ago.

Sep 20, 2009 02:19 AM

John Occhi

AZ Veteran Notary Services - Marana, AZ

Mobile Notary Public/Certified Loan Signing Agent

Johnny, Never was a fan - I remember eating it as a kid - today the only protien I'll eat out of a can is Tuna or Salmon - certainly no meat by-products slike SPAM. I always think it shoud be served with Green Eggs - but what do I know.

Sep 20, 2009 03:05 AM

Charles - you have been SPAMMED - now you are it!

Souza - thanks for adding that - I posted this late last night / early this morning as I was near burned out from my online course - not sure why I just added the URL and not embeded the video - so thanks for looking out.

Sep 20, 2009 03:07 AM

Bill - you can't be serious??? The "State Meat". Comeon, it's not even real meat is it? Come on thisis some secret formula some mad scientist came up with to control the world - this cannot really be meat.

Sep 20, 2009 03:08 AM

Dave,

I am one of the 'old timers' now. Heck I even order off of the Sr. Menu at Denny's. What I never order is SPAM. Heck, I'd rather have it in my email box than on a plate in front of me.

Sep 20, 2009 03:10 AM

Wallace - your father was no doubt a hero and one that you admire - particularly, I'm sure, for never allowing SPAM in your home. Unfortunately, I was not that lucky - but now I set the rules and the rules say NO SPAM!

Sep 20, 2009 03:12 AM

Michael,

Well, I was fortunate and did not make it to Viet Nam - I spent my share of the war being a 'cold war warrior' in an Armor Battalion stationed on the Iron Curtain. No, I did not endure what you did - but I was in the field constantly and actually have fond memories of those Vienna Sausages - it's funny, there are no memories of anyone eating SPAM. We also used to enjoy the Potato Sticks in a can and some sort of canned onion ring or something...now you have me thinking. It's been years since I've had any of those. But NO SPAM

Sep 20, 2009 03:15 AM

TC McClenning

Top Cat Creative Services - Canton, GA

I've often wondered why we call spam email that as well. I'd think the makers of the canned meat would be very upset. Or, if they wanted to be hip and marketing savvy, that they'd somehow take advantage of the association with an ad campaign, etc.

By the way, I know this discussion got sidetracked a bit into whether people liked Spam, the meat. One little trivia fact that you might find amusing--residents of Hawaii eat more Spam per capita than any other state in the US. I remember reading that in a travel book when I was researching the destination a few years ago. Apparently, Spam has been a HUGE hit there for decades.

Sep 22, 2009 06:01 PM

Why do We Call "Spam" Spam?

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