Why is Spam (that revolting tinned luncheon meat) called Spam? It sounds like it has something to do with ham, but why the sp-?

Carmen Lichi, London

• It's a contraction of spiced ham. The next question is why is unsolicited email called spam.

  DP Morgan, Amsterdam NL

• Apparantly it is something to do with American war time cutbacks and SPiced hAM. I believe the name was coined in a competition at the factory which made it - out of what we do not know.

  Sean, Perth Australia

• It comes from SPiced pork + hAM.

  Anna, Glasgow Scotland

• Isn't it a contraction of SaltPorkandhAM?

  Mark Power, Dublin

• Hormel Foods, the makers of SPAM (note the capitalisation) jealously guard their trademark. According to their own website, it was invented in 1937, and is a contracton of Hormel Spiced Ham, and was the result of a contest with a grand prize of $100. Let's just overlook the fact that, by any reasonable standard, it's not exactly spicy, is it?

  David Murray, Cambridge, UK

• SPAM is an acronym: Special Processed American Meat.

  Ben, London

• Quite simply, Specially Processed American Meat

  Danny, Manchester UK

• I have it on good authority (from a chef who works for the BBC) that Spam is in fact an acronym for Special(ly?) Processed Animal Meat - appetising!

  Leona, Stockwell, UK

• To answer DP Morgan's question about why unsolicited e-mail is called Spam. Before the internet became commercialised and unsolicited commercial e-mail was sent the name spam was given to sending the same mail several times for no good reason. This was because of the Monty Python 'spam,spam,spam' sketch.

  Stuart, London

• SPiced hAM maybe, but Slimy Processed Anaemic Mucus properly.

  Mark, Bristol UK

• Who should know better than the manufacturer Hormel Foods, the makers of SPAM? According to their website, it was invented in 1937. That should settle the question. But I happened on to the the reality show from the UK about the war-time 40's House. They mentioned that SPAM stands for "Specially Processed American Meat". To the residents of the UK during the war, I reckon that's what SPAM meant to them, which is a very accurate description, and there's nothing wrong with that. The letters S.P.A.M. lend themselves to several amusing phrases. I'll like to also mention that there is not much of the pig (or cow) that's wasted. Ground meat products like sausage, potted meats, and SPAM are usually made of the less appetizing (by themselves) morsels of flesh. But after grinding and the addition of spices, they become quite tasty. Such products as SPAM were of great benefit during situations where there is a shortage of protein and fats, which are the most important nutrients in the short term for survival. I recall, while in the military, eating similar chopped-ham products in the form of C-rations and MRE's. A lot of nutrition in a small space.

  John Reynolds, Del City, Oklahoma, USA

• Short for 'spiced ham'

  Cooky-boy, Doncaster UK

• I know the meaning of SPAM (Specially Pressed American Meat). Hate to say it but it took a 'Devonshire dumpling' to give you the answer. It was made for the war.

  Phil Edwards, Exeter, UK

• Being a Yank, I found your answers amusing but SPAM is spiced ham first of all, and it kept much of the world (including Brits and Russians) from starving in world war two. It isn't revolting if cooked properly, and might I suggest that something like Vegemite is revolting, like a quasi-vegetable by-product paste that you smear on your toast for breakfast. Sounds good, doesn't it?

  Richard, Sandy Hook, US