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Cars aren’t a piece of fruit, so how did they come to be associated with lemons? Discover how this slang term got adopted in the automotive world and what it really means.
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Why Did Ronald McDonald Disappear?
The McDonald’s mascot has been keeping a low profile for years. Some people think they know why.
Why Is the Vlasic Pickles Mascot a Stork?
Vlasic has used a stork to market its pickles for decades. But how did a bird known for bringing babies suddenly start selling pickles?
Why Is It Called a “Soap Opera”?
How did daytime dramas like “Guiding Light” and “General Hospital” become known as “soap operas”? It's all thanks to commercials.
Why Did Toys Disappear From Cereal Boxes?
The days of police badges and lightsaber spoons lurking in boxes are over. Kids now get QR codes. What happened?
How Cereal Transformed American Culture
More than a century ago, Christian health gurus invented cereal to promote a healthy lifestyle free of sin. Little did they know, their creation would eventually be used to promote everything from radio and cartoons to Mr. T and tooth decay.
The Tortured Soul of Mr. Delicious, Fast Food’s Most Bizarre Mascot
The middle-aged Mr. D promoted Rax Roast Beef by complaining about his mid-life crisis and nursing a hangover.
How Did the Super Bowl’s ‘I'm Going to Disney World’ Slogan Originate?
One throwaway comment turned into a long-lasting Super Bowl tradition.
The Top Rated Super Bowl Commercial Each Year From 1989 to 2024
Since 1989, USA Today has asked viewers to vote on the best Super Bowl ads. Here’s a look back at the winners.
How the Budweiser Clydesdales Became a Commercial Success
The horses are an iconic feature in many Super Bowl commercials.
Can You Match the Slogan to the Fast Food Chain?
See if your knowledge of fast food advertising is super-sized.
‘Like Winning the Lotto for Kids’: Remembering Nickelodeon’s Super Toy Run
For close to 20 years, Nick gave kids a chance to indulge in toy greed. Not everyone came out unscathed.
How Did Mary Jane Shoes Get Their Name?
Mary Janes have an early-20th-century comic strip to thank for their name.
Where Did the Term ‘October Surprise’ Originate?
Its political legacy began during the Iran hostage crisis, but other kinds of October surprises had been happening for decades.
10 Classic Halloween-Themed Commercials
From loving tributes to the genuinely bizarre, here are some of our favorite Halloween commercials from decades past.
When France’s Père Lachaise Cemetery Used Celebrity Remains to Boost Business
The cemetery failed to interest the public until it started seeking out famous corpses.
Does a Realtor Have to Disclose That a House Is Supposedly Haunted?
The answer depends on where you hope to live.
‘B Dubs’: 10 Slang Terms for Popular Brand Names
Shoppers have been referring to Target as ‘tar-jay’ for over 60 years.
‘Wassup?’: The Origins of the Famous Budweiser Ad
Before it became a cultural phenomenon, Budweiser’s “Wassup” ad started as a short film.
7 Discontinued Canned Foods That We’ll Probably Never See Again
From Pumpkin Spice SPAM to Chef Boyardee’s Zooroni, these discontinued canned foods are like a trip down memory lane, but chances are, you’ll never get your hands on them again.
‘Mikey Likes It’: The Origins of Life Cereal’s Most Famous Slogan
The classic 1970s TV commercial is one of the most famous of all time, but no one ever actually utters its most quoted line.
When the ‘Home Alone 2’ Talkboy Turned Into a Real-Life Toy Craze
Parents who wanted to get their kids the recording device seen in the movie wouldn't give up. They were thirsty for more.