Apparently, I’ve been typing it wrong all this time. The maker of the canned corn beef (SPAM) claims that there’s no problem using the word to refer to unsolicited email – so long as you do so by “spelling” the word in lowercase.

For years now I’ve been deliverately capitalising it. Apparently, much to my chagrine, I’ve been commiting a faux pas without realising it.

To refer to the food use “SPAM” and to refer to bad email use “spam”. You can read the full text of Hormel’s statement on this issue here.

Consider me chastised. I’ll be using the lowercase version of the word henceforth. (Unless, of course, I should have reason to refer to the food.)