Talk:Spam (food)

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Contents

[edit] Good Sources

It would appear this talk page is turning into a SPAM (the electronic type) page. Indeed, with all this discussion, I have to marvel at the fact that no one appears to have noticed the spurious and uncorroborated edit of the 22 April. Indeed, the user responsible for the edit dumped two lines into the 'name origins' paragraph, creating a page about George_Savoy at the same time. There are no sources to back this fact up, but what draw my attention to it was the blatant clash with the surrounding test. I'm removing the paragraph and tagging the Savoy entry for removal, until some sensible sources are inserted. Rdrs 20:28, 5 July 2006 (UTC)


Uncle Ed, isn't calling spam 'delicious' an NPOV statement? ;-P cprompt

We have childish song in France (and in Québec) : "Lundi des patates, Mardi des patates, Mercredi des patates, Jeudi des patates, Vendredi des patates, Samedi des patates et Dimanche des patates aussi." Patates=Potatoes. Ericd 21:35 Apr 17, 2003 (UTC)

Isn't it more appropriate for SPAM to redirect to the article referring to unwarranted mail first? There are many out there (esp. outside US), who have no idea that there is actually a product called SPAM, but any internet user knows what Spamming is. I feel there can be a disambiguation on top of the spamming page that can take care of the product (and the other meanings). Spamming is more well-researched than SPAM anyway.

SPAM is first and foremost a product. It is a type of packaged ham distributed by the Hormel compaly and has been around much longer than Spamming. It blows my mind that you have never even heard of it before207.157.121.50 11:28, 11 October 2005 (UTC)mightyafrowhitey

It is not that I dont see the reason why it is organised as it is now (considering that all-caps SPAM should refer to the product and all), but I still feel it is better, if the article and the disambiguation is organised the other way around. chance 12:25, Dec 3, 2003 (UTC)

I assure you, good sir/madam/other, that the real world (ie countries other than the US) are well and truely overawed by the miracle of spam at least as much, and probably far more than your average yank. The bellman 00:39, 2004 Nov 18 (UTC)

I could provide a picture of the SPAM Museum if people think it would be a worthy addition to the page. I often visit Austin MN. Metamatic 14:08, 30 Aug 2004 (UTC)

Is this all a joke? I live outside the US (Canada) and I've never heard of such... food culture. This forces me to say "WTF?." What on earth is SPAM. I looks so silly it might as well be a joke.

"In the U.S., a can of SPAM is said to be consumed every 3.1 seconds. Among American states, Hawaii has the highest per-capita consumption of SPAM— 5.5 cans per second". Unless Hawaii seceded when I wasn't looking, those two figures are mutually exclusive...

I've deleted the figures, because of the inconsistency you mention, and because 5.5 cans/second is a ridiculous per capita rate. If someone wants to get accurate figures, that's just dandy. -- Coneslayer 23:07, 2005 Mar 17 (UTC)
3.1 cans/sec nationwide versus 5.5 cans/sec in Hawaii doesn't need to be mutually exclusive. It's probably just averaged out. I agree, though, 5.5 cans/sec is a bit on the ridiculous side. --Jack (Cuervo) 20:13, 18 July 2005 (UTC)
Its not 3.1 cans per second, its 1 can per 3.1 seconds

[edit] Muppet Treasure Island

I have this movie on VHS. (It's a good movie, when you fast-forward past most of the songs (except maybe Cabin Fever)). Anyway, I thought Spa'am referred to Miss Piggy. Should I watch it again? :P --Jack (Cuervo) 20:13, 18 July 2005 (UTC)

Yes! I remember this! It is HILARIOUS. Spa'am is the island's tribal leader. He tells Miss Piggy his name in a totally comedic fashion. It just floored me the first time I saw it years ago.  :-)

[edit] "whose original name was far less glamorous,"

Well, what was the original name? Don't leave me hanging! Please! I want to know. Dpbsmith (talk) 19:54, 24 Mar 2005 (UTC)

Shouldnt this page be moved to "SPAM™"? or be given a Wikipedia:Naming_conventions_(technical_restrictions)? because the name needs the "™"?Patcat88 20:08, 27 Mar 2005 (UTC)

No, for the same reason as LEGO. "SPAM" is the name of the product. The trademark logo is simply a way of stating that one recognizes that the name is a trademark. It is not part of the name. Hence, for instance, the following text from www.spam.com:
It's the Official SPAM Home Page. The one in good taste. Like SPAM Luncheon Meat.
Note the lack of trademark or registered-trademark signs. --FOo 21:49, 27 Mar 2005 (UTC)

[edit] genericized

This question is for anyone who has access to an OED or knew what Spam was before they knew anything about computers:

Is the word used generically to refer to similar meat products?

Elsewhere on Wikipedia is was claimed that it is not! I changed the wording on Genericized trademark so as not to conflict with this one.

[edit] NPOV?

I don't see why the NPOV tag is deserved. To be honest I find it hard to imagine why any conflict of opinion could occur over tinned meat. There may be some discussion about the naming conventions but the neutrality of the article is not in doubt. I'll remove the tag until an explanation is attached. GreatGodOm 13:02, 2 August 2005 (UTC)

Fully agree. The anon who inserted it couldn't be bothered to give an explanatory edit comment other than "the name of SPAM." The section of the article describing various theories of the name's origin is a little bit jumbled and incoherent and could use cleanup. Dpbsmith (talk) 14:14, 2 August 2005 (UTC)
This article is wholly filled, top-to-bottom, with SPAM-worship. Example: "So, ridicule it people do, but it is quite an achievement". That line sounds like a mother correcting a child, and it's not the only in the article. The NPOV tag was very well-deserved. Gspawn 17:56, 5 February 2006 (UTC)

[edit] SMEAT

In the movie Waterworld, the Smokers eat a canned meat called SMEAT. I've read that this may be because Hormell wouldn't allow Costner to use SPAM. Wikipedia states that it is a blending of SPAM and Treet PrometheusX303 23:59, 19 January 2006 (UTC)

[edit] SPAM = Luncheon Meat No????

I see SPAM is different from luncheon meat, but I suppose they are about the same. I prefer an aritlce about luncheon meat being created. It is very misleading to non-Americans like myself, as we all refer SPAM as luncheon meat. I'm confused, very confused indeed. I sound very long winded here, sorry. :( --Terence Ong 15:21, 22 February 2006 (UTC)

It seems Americans refer to a wider variety of tinned foods with "luncheon meat", whereas we Europeans equate "luncheon meat" with "SPAM". I would've edited this into the entry, except I'm not 100% sure.. If someone is willing to do the necessary research, it would be nice to include this into the entry.

As far as I can tell, in the U.S., "luncheon meat" is a marketing term; it isn't a term that Americans use in conversation to say what's in their sandwich. However, as a category it would tend to include, e.g. American bologna, olive loaf, and other heavily processed meat products, as well as SPAM. (But it would not include proper sausages, for instance.) --FOo 03:51, 13 April 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Move to all caps—against MoS?

The move of this page from Spam (food) to SPAM, and the subsequent capitalization of SPAM in the article, appears to violate Wikipedia:Manual of Style (trademarks). I don't see any evidence of discussion prior to this move. What's going on here? --TreyHarris 09:11, 24 March 2006 (UTC)

Hearing no response, I've brought up the issue at Wikipedia talk:Manual of Style (trademarks)#SPAM?. --TreyHarris 02:02, 31 March 2006 (UTC)
The move and changes were incorrect. I have reverted them. Nohat 02:44, 31 March 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Image

The image should really show the whole can. That's what makes SPAM weird...it comes in a square can with a pop-top. Someone should also take a picture of the spongy pink SPAM inside the can. I would do this myself, but I'm a vegetarian and don't want to buy SPAM just to throw it away. Thanks. 216.39.182.234 09:48, 25 April 2006 (UTC)

How exactly does it contridict the MoS? I can't see why it shouldn't be in all caps. The bellman 10:10, 25 April 2006 (UTC)

Why is there no picture of the SPAM can? What's the issue here? Jake b 19:34, 14 June 2006 (UTC)

No issue as far as I can tell! Feel free to take a picture of a can of SPAM and upload it! Or better yet, go to your supermarket and snap a picture of various kinds of SPAM on the shelf! --FOo 02:37, 15 June 2006 (UTC)
I think I will do that. I have secret lowbrow culinary tastes. Jake b 22:39, 15 June 2006 (UTC)
Any progress on an image? I have in my possession two half-sized cans of Spam, and I'll be glad to take some photos. But would a full-sized can be better? If so, I'll have to wait until I go to the store again. I really wasn't thinking about Wikipedia when making my last purchase. —TheMuuj Talk 21:00, 2 July 2006 (UTC)
I'd also like to see a picture of the stuff inside- I've never actually laid eyes on it. HenryFlower 18:32, 5 July 2006 (UTC)
I put up an image that shows both the can and the contents. It doesn't look very appetizing, but many people enjoy it (it helps to grill it). —TheMuuj Talk 04:13, 24 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Removing unsourced backronyms

I found a source for "Something Posing As Meat," which IMHO adequately represents the genre. I'm removing all the others since no sources are provided. They can be reinserted if anyone thinks they're important and wishes to provide a source. Original backronyms should not be contributed, no matter how funny or apropos they may be. Dpbsmith (talk) 18:20, 8 July 2006 (UTC)

  • "Spoiled ham"
  • "Synthetically produced artificial meat"
  • "Steam pressed amalgamated meat"
  • "Some parts are meat"
  • "Specially processed American meat"
  • "Someone's pigs are missing"
  • "Stuff posing as meat"
  • "Slime posing as meat"
  • "Specially Processed Army Meat"
  • "Spare parts and animal mucus"
  • "Salt poisoning and more"
  • "Squirrels possums and mice"
  • "Salt plastic and meat"

[edit] Unsourced items

I'm removing these unsourced items. Quite likely they are true and can be sourced, and should be reinserted when (but not before) they can be accompanied with a good source citation to a source meeting the reliable sources guideline. This article is become overly-heavy with unsourced items. Per WP:V "The obligation to provide a reliable source lies with the editors wishing to include the material, not on those seeking to remove it." When I have a chance I will see whether I can source some of these. Certainly someone must have published something about the popularity of Spam in Hawaii. Dpbsmith (talk) 12:56, 23 October 2006 (UTC)

  • Another common misconception of where the name came from, is that it stands for "Specially Pressed American Meat" [citation needed] as it was imported in vast quantities to the UK from the US during the second world war, and many had never heard of Spam before the war, leading to the belief that it had been made especially for Britain.
  • The curious popularity of Spam in Hawaii, Guam, and the CNMI is explained by two factors: (1) It is an economical meat product, where most food is expensive because of high shipping costs to the islands, and (2) the presence of US troops there during World War II. Spam was one of the very few meat products allowed into Hawaii, Guam, and the CNMI during that time due to shortages and scarcity of modern refrigerated shipping.[citation needed]
  • In South Korea, Spam gained popularity following the Korean War and the large presence of American troops there. It became a staple ingredient of "budae-chiggae" - literally "military post stew" - a composite of various meats and vegetables and hot pepper sauce that remains a very popular South Korean dish, especially in late night eateries. The main ingredient of budae-chiggae is Spam (or some similar meat product), something that was relatively easily procured from American military posts at a time when any other meat was prohibitively expensive.[citation needed]

dpbsmith, you can always go onto the Internet and find the info needed to source this topics. Wiki's are a place for building, not for placing "citation needed" on every single topic you just don't understand. We all have a job to keep this info helpful, and by placing marks all over the article, it makes the article look unprofessional.

Find the info to backup source, or leave it alone.

72.154.199.91 22:50, 23 October 2006 (UTC)

Everybody calm down. The "citation needed" tags may not look good (and have nothing to do with understanding a fact), but if nothing else that should to encourage the editors to go find sources for these statements. Without these tags, it's difficult to determine which statements are sourced and which are not. This article has had many problems with people sneaking unsourced statements in nearby sourced ones. Everybody and their mother has their own meaning for what the name SPAM means, and like to add them to the list. That does not make them worthy of an encyclopedia. There are meanings and backronyms that are noteworthy, but they need to be sourced. As for "finding the info to backup the source," that is not always easy to do. If you just google for the information you might find a website that got their information from Wikipedia. Also, the tags inform readers that they should take these statements at face value. I don't like deleting useful information, so I agree that some of this information should either be marked as unsourced or moved to the talk page.

And 72.154.199.91, be sure to be aware of the 3-revert rule. —TheMuuj Talk 03:44, 24 October 2006 (UTC)

I'm adding this item from the other references section. I couldn't find any non-wikipedia hits for it--until it's verifiable we should keep it here: Dallben 06:46, 17 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Location of SPAM production

Spam is only produced in two locations in the United States, Austin MN and Fremont NE. Why not include both locations istead of saying: Spam is produced in (among other places) Austin, Minnesota, USA (aka Spam Town USA)?

I could understand only listing one if there were factories all over, but with only two US locations, why not list both?

[edit] A question

Did spam really originate in the 1930s? I thought Thomas Tallis wrote a motet about spam in allium in the sixteenth century. A strongly-flavoured onion or garlic sauce is one way to make this stuff almost palatable.

[edit] JEF (Japanese restaurant)

Citation? The menu is available on-line - http://www.yonabaru.jp/kigyo/jef/menu.htm - and shows what looks like a toasted SPAM sandwich, but I don't read Japanese. NickS 16:24, 8 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Vintage SPAM

I'd like to add this gallery of vintage SPAM commercial art as an external link.

Gallery of vintage graphic design featuring SPAM

--Mycroft.Holmes 19:30, 2 January 2007 (UTC)

I ask again: Do you own the copyright?. If so, you can release the images under a free license and contribute them as true internal content. If not, Wikipedia cannot link to your site. Either way there is no need to link to an external website. Femto 20:17, 2 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] "Spam is unique part of the history and effects of U.S. empire-building in the Pacific."

Empire Building...? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 75.28.122.10 (talk) 18:15, 25 January 2007 (UTC).

[edit] Can sizes?

The size of a can of spam has changed several times over the years. It might take some research, but a table of what size a can of spam was in a given year would be useful.--24.252.10.228 18:46, 25 March 2007 (UTC)

[edit] SPAM redirecting to Robot Wars page

Why was SPAM redirecting to List of minor Robot Wars contestants (UK)? I reverted it back to it's redirect to Spam (food) --Quess 07:51, 27 March 2007 (UTC)

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