Spam Question

[G-Force Junkie]

Here's a question, why did useless things like bump posts and junk e-mail get the title of spam? I'm really curious about this.

 

[G-Man]

Are you asking why internet spam is called "spam" or why did these things fall under the spam category?

 

[Perfection]

Because they're both useless junk that often leads to an unpleasant experience

 

[G-Force Junkie]

Thanks, I've never touched the stuff and naming useless stuff over a network of computers after a food-like substance just seems a little on the silly side.

 

[metalhead]

Perfection - what could ever be useless about spiced ham???

 

[floppa21]

There's actually a book on Spam, the canned meat, and all it's uses. Yes, uses. Furniture polish is one...

 

[G-Man]

I think in Israel they make it from red meat.... The IDF was buying tons of it untill about 2000, but it's still using them untill 2004 or 2005

 

[bioartist]

I'm pretty sure it came from a Monty Python skit...I never saw it myself, but I heard about it....

These guys go into a diner and try to order some food, but all that's on the menu is spam...they don't like spam, but that's all they're getting.

Every once in a while I'll hear my dad yell out of nowhere "But I don't like spam!" in that weird Monty Python voice

 

[G-Man]

Maybe the vikings invented the internet

BTW
http://www.detritus.org/spam/skit.html

 

[Perfection]

Originally posted by metalhead
Perfection - what could ever be useless about spiced ham???

Okay, relatively useless, happy?

 

[Leha]

He ment it's useless after , say , 7-8 hours

 

[G-Man]

Or in the IDF's case, 7-8 years...

 

[allan2]

Actually Spam can be quite good as a meat--used in things like casseroles. And it's cheap, and keeps probably forever in the can, so it's good in times when money is tight. I remember having it a lot when I was growing up.

I've heard that Koreans (I think it was Koreans) have gotten to like the stuff, that it's become something of a delicacy there....

The term "spam" probably comes from the Python sketch, particularly the song "spam spam spam spam, spam spam spam spam..."--annoying in its repetitive meaninglessness, a lot like electronic spam.

 

[Leha]

Originally posted by G-Man
Or in the IDF's case, 7-8 years...

Rrrrright

 

[Tsukemono5]

G-Man, isn't the waitress voice from that skit the mother of Brian from Life of Brian?

 

[G-Man]

Originally posted by Tsukemono5
G-Man, isn't the waitress voice from that skit the mother of Brian from Life of Brian?

AKA Terry Jones

 

[bioartist]

Ah yes, that's the skit. Thanks G-Man!

 

[onejayhawk]

Originally posted by G-Man
I think in Israel they make it from red meat.... The IDF was buying tons of it untill about 2000, but it's still using them untill 2004 or 2005

If it was genuine SPAM, then it was genuine PORK. There are beef and poultry versions though.

Originally posted by allan2
The term "spam" probably comes from the Python sketch, particularly the song "spam spam spam spam, spam spam spam spam..."--annoying in its repetitive meaninglessness, a lot like electronic spam.

Metalhead nailed this one before your post. SPAM is a contraction of SPiced hAM, though that is a misnomer since it contains no ham.

I would venture to guess that SPAM was a local expression somewhere for ubiquitous, ie found everywhere, coupled with connotations of cheaply made and mass produced. This would lead to the idea that mass emailings are SPAM, which is the meaning I first encountered. Once applied in that locality, the usage spread and the meaning broadened, since it is memorable and readily understandable in the abstract.

J

PS To anyone Kosher. Pork tastes remarkably like dark turkey meat, especially when cured or smoked. In case you ever wondered.

 

[Pontiuth Pilate]

I always thought it came from

Stupid
Pointless
Annoying
Messages

an ironic acronym which someone coined in order to liken spam mail to actual spam - since both are overabundant, tasteless, and annoying.

 

[superslug]

And here's the two places on the internet you can find the most spam:
Link #1
Link #2