McDonald's finally confirms what iconic purple character Grimace REALLY is - and fans can't cope
Grimace, the lovable purple blob who's been part of the McDonaldland crew for generations, is… a taste bud.
Yes, you read that right. A giant, anthropomorphic taste bud who has somehow managed to charm millions around the globe.
Fans have spent years theorising about Grimace's true origin. Was he a milkshake? A blob? Some sort of alien? Now we know the truth.
Grimace made his debut in 1971 as 'Evil Grimace' - a scaly, four‑armed villain who stole cups in McDonaldland to prevent anyone from enjoying milkshakes or Coca‑Cola.
'The original Grimace was scaly, mean‑looking, had four arms, and had no charm whatsoever,' former McDonald's vice‑president of advertising Roy T. Bergold Jr. wrote in QSR magazine.
The character proved a little too terrifying for young customers, so McDonald's gave him a major glow‑up - ditching the extra limbs and menace for a softer, cuddlier look and a sweet tooth for shakes.
Of course, Grimace is just one member of the iconic McDonaldland cast.
There's Ronald McDonald himself, Birdie the Early Bird - the perky mascot for the breakfast menu - and the mischievous Hamburglar, whose one mission is to nab as many burgers as possible.
But while each of them has a role, none has sparked quite as many late‑night debates as Grimace.
Now that the mystery has been solved, it seems one thing is certain: whether he's a blob, a buddy, or the world's most famous tastebud, Grimace will always have a special place in the hearts (and Instagram feeds) of McDonald's fans everywhere.
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