Le Pain Quotidien UK Arm Falls Into Insolvency, Most Cafes Close
The UK division of Le Pain Quotidien, the international bakery chain, has collapsed into insolvency, shutting all but
2023-07-04 23:48
Factbox-Europe's ongoing strike-related travel disruptions
European airports are in the middle of another busy summer as passenger numbers globally recover to pre-pandemic levels.
2023-07-04 21:22
The strange history of Taco Tuesday
The war over "Taco Tuesday" may be heating up now, but its origins date back several decades.
2023-07-04 20:52
Who is Jay Z's mother? Beyonce and Blue Ivy look resplendent as they attend Gloria Carter's wedding to Roxanne Wiltshire
Gloria Carter shares a strong bond with her son Jay-Z who was instrumental in bringing her out of the closet
2023-07-04 19:47
Have Heather Locklear's demons returned? Star has had major issues in the past with mental illness and substance abuse
Some of Locklear's friends told the publication that the actress may have started drinking again following several rehab stints
2023-07-04 18:58
'Liberty, equality, fraternity' for all? New riots make France confront an old problem
The lofty ideals of “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" to which France aspires are embossed on its coins and carved above its school doors
2023-07-04 18:56
People are finally learning what SPAM actually stands for
Sandwiches have become increasingly elaborate creations: pillows of golden focaccia dripping with sumptuous pulled meats, tahini dressings, and spice-crusted roast veg. And yet, back in the day, you were lucky if you got a smear of margarine on yesterday’s white bread with a hunk of pink, pockmarked SPAM slammed unceremoniously in between. Ah yes, SPAM, there’s a reason why it became the butt of a Monty Python sketch and is now most commonly associated with the most annoying type of email correspondence. It’s unsexy, ultimately unhealthy and, at one point, was utterly unavoidable. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter However, as we’ve established, food standards have somewhat evolved since WWII rationing so SPAM doesn’t get as much of a look-in at lunchtime these days. Still, most of us have at least heard of it even if we’ve never actually tried it. Monty Python - Spam youtu.be But now, people have suddenly realised that they don’t actually know what the acronym of its name stands for. Plenty of people have their own theories, though, which they’ve publicly shared on Twitter. “What does SPAM stand for? Salty Piece A' Meat?” one asked. “I often conjectured that 'Spam' was an acronym for 'Spoiled Ham',” wrote another. Another nodded to an old joke made by retired stand-up comedian Bill Endgvall: “I finally figured out what spam stands for – stuff posing as meat.” While another suggested it actually connotes “scientifically processed animal matter”. To clarify, SPAM itself is processed meat made of a pork and ham mixture, salt, sugar, potato starch, water, and sodium nitrite. The meat is ground and combined with the other ingredients before it is transferred to its signature rectangular can, vacuum-sealed, and cooked inside, the Encyclopedia Britannica notes. And despite the plethora of alternative suggestions, the name is, in fact, a portmanteau for spiced ham. It was coined in 1937 by its creator, New York actor Ken Daigneau, whose brother was an executive at the manufacturer Hormel Foods. According to Britannica, Daigneau later confessed that he’d come up with the name before he’d even conceived of the product, thinking it was memorable. Well, he sure hit the money on that one. SPAM continues to be loved by millions of households across the world, with more than 10 varieties of meat available on the market. Indeed, in Hawaii where it is perhaps best loved by consumers, it is enjoyed in a number of unique ways, including as an alternative to raw fish or egg in a sushi-style dish called musubi. And sure, we love our kimchi cauliflower milk rolls and slow-cooked lamb flatbreads but, credit where it’s due, SPAM has proven that it's the truly simple things that often stand the test of time. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-07-04 18:53
Travis Barker's daughter Alabama Barker's new look leaves Internet confused: 'Is that your natural hair?'
In a clip she uploaded, Alabama Barker, 17, is seen flipping her hair from right to left as she checks herself out in the mirror
2023-07-04 15:53
Khloe Kardashian slammed for 'creepy' photo caption as she promotes her brand Good American: 'Grow up and be a mother'
Celebs such as Jordyn Woods, GabiFresh, Stephanie Rao, and Nadia Aboulhosn have sported Khloe Kardashian's brand, Good American, previously
2023-07-04 15:46
Sainsbury’s Reports Higher Sales as Food Inflation Starts to Fall
J Sainsbury Plc reported higher sales and said that food inflation is starting to fall, suggesting that the
2023-07-04 14:57
Who is Jimmy Fallon's wife? Talk show host stuns with rarely-seen partner and adorable daughters in weekend getaway photos
Jimmy Fallon posed for a rare family picture with his wife and two daughters during their Independence Day weekend getaway
2023-07-04 13:53
The American flag wasn't always revered as it is today. At the beginning, it was an afterthought
The American flag will be flown throughout the country on July 4, but it wasn't always a revered and debated symbol
2023-07-04 12:49