CHAD
A recent travel-op led to some discussion about the origins of the famous Chad and the results are interesting. Turns out that there are several intertwining stories going into the mix.
Chad
The 'Wot no...' tag line originates from the shortages experienced by rationed Britishers during World War II. Where 'Wot no eggs?' or 'Wot no tea bags' were literal complaints. Not too much detail on the nose-over-the-wall cartoon though.
Kilroy
The viral message of the Chad was most likely popularised by the American usage of cartoon alongside 'the Kilroy'. The tagline 'Kilroy was here' written in further and further flung fields, allegedly even written on the dust on the moon. The Kilroy plausibly originates back to World War II warship inspector James J. Kilroy, who would write 'Kilroy was here' once he had finished his inspection.
Speculation even takes the story even further, to the point where the omni-presence of the slogan - which appeared wherever US servicemen had been - led Hitler to believe Kilroy to be a super-spy.
Lose The Game
An interesting modern spin on the phenomenon comes in the form of Lose The Game. A game supposedly devised by a couple of chaps stranded at a train station over night. The aim of the game is simple - don't think about the game. By the way, you lose.
18th Jun 2009 - Tumblr