The World of Words: Vocabulary for College Success ... - eLibrary

166 Chapter 5 Word Elements: Prefixesham but more intense, seems to spark strong reactions of either antipathyor devotion. Advertisements have added to the popularity of SPAM.Radio featured “SPAMMY the Pig” and the musical “Hormel Girls,”who toured the United States. In 1940, SPAM became quite possibly thesubject of the world’s first singing commercial. Sung to the tune of “MyBonny Lies Over the Ocean,” it went “SPAM, SPAM, SPAM, SPAM,Hormel’s new miracle meat in a can. Tastes fine, saves time. If you wantsomething grand, ask for SPAM.”Although Hormel called it “the miracle meat in a can,” others havereferred to it as “the mystery meat.” This is unfair because, (6) as impartialobservers have pointed out, the ingredients are listed on eachcan. (They are chopped pork shoulder with ham meat added, salt, water,sugar, and sodium nitrite.) In these more health-conscious times, thecalorie count and high percentage of fat have also become a concern. Infact, Hormel Foods now makes SPAM Lite and SPAM Oven RoastedTurkey.SPAM is manufactured in several countries. In fact, in Korea SPAMis sold in stylish gift boxes. (7) It may seem incongruous to see SPAMalongside expensive watches and perfume, but South Koreans consider ita great treat. Within the United States, Hawaiians eat the most SPAM percapita, averaging four cans per person each year. SPAM can be preparedin many ways, including grilled, baked, and microwaved, or it can beeaten cold right from the can. There are thousands of recipes that includeSPAM. Cooking contests featuring SPAM are popular throughout theUnited States.It may come as a revelation that some uses for SPAM Products havenothing to do with food. Joey Green has become famous for using it topolish furniture and bathroom fixtures. Reporter James Barron, however,noted that it left a greasy film. Others have found that SPAM can spacklea wall, fill holes in a canoe, and soothe a black eye. (8) These uses seemeccentric, but amusing.SPAM has been the subject of poetry, including haiku, a form ofverse originally from Japan. One author writes:Pretty pink Spam hamShining on the white platter.Where did my fork go?Sonnets and limericks have also been written to SPAM.With all the fun and nutrition that SPAM has given us over the years,it is good to know that it still sells well. (9) SPAM is resilient enough toremain unaffected by criticism. Sales remain invincible to humorousput-downs and even insults. (10) Hormel Foods continues to be an autonomous,family-originated company. The continuing popularity of theSPAM Family of Products is illustrated by the fact that if all the cans eversold were laid end to end, they would circle the Earth at least twelvetimes!Copyright © Cengage Learning. All Right Reserved.