Green M&Ms
photo taken from flickr.com
In the 1980s, a rumor had spread that eating green M&Ms would enhance one’s sex appeal. A popular expression was that “green M&Ms make you horny”. The media was fascinated by the urban legend, having been featured in many magazines and newspapers like the Dallas Morning News and the Wall Street Journal. It was also featured in a Shoebox Greetings card of 1986 with the caption, “I’m saving the green ones for you” while showing a dish full of green candies. The makers of the M&M candies, the Mars Corporation, made a direct reference to the rumor in their advertising campaign during the Super Bowl in 1997 according the Wall Street Journal.
Although the legend is unbelievable, it developed into much like a custom of offering green candies to someone as a flirtatious gift.
(Source: Brunvand, Jan H. Encyclopedia of Urban Legends. 2001.)
