NYT
Alcohol. Manliness. Flushable Wipes. Since When Are These ‘Scams’?
Thursday, August 6, 2026
The term "scam" has expanded beyond its traditional meaning of deliberate fraud to describe various consumer products and practices where companies profit from customer purchases or use, according to recent usage patterns.
Original reporting: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/06/magazine/scams-origins.html