Photo: Getty Images
Over the years, McDonald's hasn't just introduced America to things like the Big Mac and the McRib, they also created a bunch of different characters. Of course there's "Ronald McDonald," the chain's clown mascot, but there are others as well, like the "Hamburglar," a villain who loves to steal burgers, "Mayor McCheese," a hamburger-headed politician, and then, there is "Grimace," a purple blob-like being.
"Grimace" made his debut in 1971 as the "Evil Grimace," who loved to steal milkshakes and sodas with his four arms and hands. However after a year, the "evil" was dropped from his name and he was rebranded as a good guy with only two arms. But what exactly is he? McDonald's has never really revealed that, but Brian Bates, a long-time manager at a McDonald's franchise in Canada, explained what inspired the purple character.
Bates told CBC News, "He is an enormous taste bud, but a taste bud nonetheless," adding that his purpose is to show that the food tastes good.
Taste buds under a microscope, magnified by 50x. Photo: Getty Images
Bates went on to state that his explanation is "unofficial."
The closest McDonald's has ever gotten to giving "Grimace's" origin story was in a tweet where they wrote, "'Grimace' lore says he is the embodiment of a milkshake or a taste bud."
You can read more of what Brian had to say here.