Funyuns is the brand name of an onion-flavored corn snack introduced in the United States in 1969 and invented by Frito-Lay employee Ray Trinidad of Arlington, TX. While consisting primarily of cornmeal, Funyuns are ring-shaped using an extrusion process, representing the shape and texture of fried onion rings. A salt and onion mix give them the flavor. They are a product of PepsiCo's Frito-Lay company.
They were named "Funyuns" by University of North Texas professor and copywriter Jim Albright after it was discovered that the first choice of name for the product, "OnYums",[1] had already been taken by Rudolph Foods.
In 2005, the "window cutout" showing the actual product inside the bag was replaced by a photograph of the product, falling in line with the design of the rest of Frito-Lay's product line. The big-bag Funyuns was one of the last Frito-Lay brands to completely phase out the "window." In Brazil these snacks are commercialized as "Cebolitos".
Flavors [edit]
- Regular FunYuns
- Wasabi, a horseradish-based seasoning (discontinued).
- Flamin' Hot (2008–present)
In mass media [edit]
- There was a television commercial for Funyuns, circa 1969, that featured a variation of Susan Christie's 1966 song, I LOVE ONIONS.
- Famous line in the hit movie Half Baked "Get some...sour cream and onion chips, with some dip, man. Some beef jerkey, some peanut butter. Get some Hagen-Dagz ice-cream bars. A whole lotta of chocolate. Gotta have chocolate, man. Some popcorn, pink popcorn. GRAHAM CRACKERS!!! Graham crackers with the marshmallows. Little marshmallows with little chocolate bars and we'll make some s'mores man. Celery, grape jelly, Captain Crunch with the little crunch berries, pizzas, we need two big pizzas, man, everything on 'em, water, a whole lotta water and....... Funyuns."
- Hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse referenced Funyuns in their 2009 song "To Catch a Predator"
- Hip Hop artist Eminem referenced Funyuns in his 2009 song "Underground"
- Comedian and musician Stephen Lynch referenced Funyuns in his 2003 song "D & D."[2]
- SMBC Theatre references them in the "Roomies with Buddha" sketch and the "Ultimate Staring Competition" sketch.
- In the season 2 episode 9 of the AMC series "Breaking Bad", in which Walt and Jesse go into the desert to cook meth. The main provision Jesse thinks to bring along are three bags of Funyuns. When questioned about his choice in foods for the marathon cook Jesse says, "Funyuns are AWESOME!"
- The Comedy Central series Drawn Together regularly references the snack; Foxxy Love says "Them ain't your Funyuns, them's Foxxy's Funyuns!"
- In an episode of How I Met Your Mother, Lilly thinks Marshall is saying "I Love You" to her when he is actually saying it to a bag of Funyuns held by Ted.
- Frank Barone in Everybody Loves Raymond references Funyuns in the episode "The Author" of season five after Ray Barone throws a bag of Bugles on the floor, saying "I hope you're happy. I have to eat Funyuns now" followed by "Marie, Funyuns", asking his wife Marie Barone to give him Funyuns.
References [edit]
External links and further reading [edit]
