How SPAM Went from Canned Meat to a Symbol of Unwanted Emails

You know the word SPAM, right?

That unwanted mail and letters that no one wants, yet we regularly receive it in our digital and physical "mailboxes," and even as phone calls and messages.

You may also know that “spam” was originally the name of a canned meat product, which started with fame in 1937. It was especially popular among soldiers because it was easy to use and had a long shelf life.

But how did “spam” go from being a quick meal to a synonym for unwanted messages?

Well, that’s the fun part.

This is where the legendary British comedy group Monty Python steps in.

In one of their sketches, they perform a scene in a café where a couple tries to order something to eat. The problem arises because the waitress only serves dishes that contain “spam.”

As the sketch progresses, every other word becomes “spam,” making us feel pretty irritated. When they start singing a song, it turns into something relentless that just won’t stop pestering us.

Basically … it’s SPAM!

Because computer geeks were Monty Python fans, they adopted the word and began using it with a different meaning. And so, quite unexpectedly, the word “spam” took over the world.

We challenge you to watch the entire video clip without pausing 😀 Good luck! 😀

(The SPAM sketch starts at 0:33 seconds.)