The butt of jokes for years and the delight of connoisseurs the world over, SPAM canned meat has become an embedded cultural icon.  SPAM is no simple canned meat, though.  SPAM is the only canned meat to have it’s own biography entitled, "Spam: A Biography"  

So, here are 5 things that you may not know about SPAM:

1.  The name SPAM was created by a Hormel employee and is a combination of the words ‘Spiced Ham’

2.  The terms ’spam’ for unwanted emails was created as a result of the Monty Python skit about SPAM, where the name SPAM is repeated over and over.

3.  Of all the U.S. states, Hawaii takes the award for consuming the most SPAM.

4.  SPAM is made from pork shoulder meat.  It is removed from the bone by smashing it in a huge, hydraulic press.  The meat squishes off the bone.

5.  Over 141 million cans of SPAM are sold worldwide each year.

Have a taste for more SPAM?  Hormel has put together a very corny site, complete with games, SPAM gear and recipes.  Check it out at www.spam.com.

My favorite way to eat SPAM?  Slice it thin (about 1/4in.) and pan fry it in butter and brown sugar.  MMM…Tasty.

Here is a quick look at some of my SPAM stuff, including my old license plates.