Spam, Anyone?

I decided to empty my Spam folder in Gmail today. I only do this once every two or three weeks. First let me say, that I hate spam and have never opened a message in my spam folder.

I looked up Spam on Wikipedia, and to my surprise there are several definitions:

Spam (Monty Python), a Monty Python comedy sketch. The "Spam" in the sketch refers specifically to the meat. Most later uses of "spam" refer in one way or another to undesirable repetition, and this sketch is considered to be the most likely source of such uses of the term.

Spam (electronic), unsolicited or undesired bulk electronic messages. There are many types of electronic spam, including:

E-mail spam, unsolicited e-mail.
Mobile phone spam, unsolicited text messages.
Forum spam, posting advertisements or useless posts on a forum.
Spamdexing, manipulating a search engine to create the illusion of popularity for webpages.
Spam in blogs, posting random comments or promoting commercial services to blogs, wikis, guestbooks.
Newsgroup spam, advertisement and forgery on newsgroups.
Messaging spam ("SPIM"), use of instant messenger services for advertisement or even extortion.
Spam (computer game), to repeatedly use one weapon or tactic. This term is based on the technological meaning of undesired bulk electronic message.

Flyposting ("street spam"), illegal blanket advertising in public places.

Spam (song) can also refer to a song by "Weird Al" Yankovic. Unlike the other uses here, the song has no connection to either the earlier Monty Python sketch nor to the electronic uses of the term that came about afterwards. The song is a parody of Stand by R.E.M.

Who knew? I don't think I've ever heard the Weird Al song. And I think that's just too many uses of the word Spam. Street spam? Really? Who uses this???

According to the messages in my spam folder:

• My diet isn't working
• I'm not making enough money (this might be worth a look, no?)
• I have what it takes to be a mystery shopper
• I am in desperate need of Viagra (45 emails on this topic)
• I have won 6 new laptops, 2 iphones, 4 ipods, and some gift cards
• I need more credit
• I need a scholarship (though I'm not attending any classes)
• My healthcare rates are too high (I'm not arguing)
• I need to hook up with some Latin singles

Now, if you went by my spam folder, I'm a fat, poor, single, creditless man with ED and insurance rates that are too high. I am qualified to be a mystery shopper, and I'm in desperate need of a scholarship! WTF?!

I hate spam!