In the immediate aftermath of Tuesday's terror attacks in Brussels, as reports of the carnage started pouring in, people on social media found unlikely inspiration in an old Burger King ad. The 2008 ad—which, according to Mashable, is from New Zealand—shows a hand made of French fries giving the middle finger. Someone, it's unclear who exactly, edited the image to show just the fries and shared it on social media, where it quickly went viral.
Why French fries as a symbol of defiance against terror? The people of Belgium claim that French fries, despite their name, are actually a Belgian invention. According to National Geographic, villagers along Belgium's River Meuse, accustomed to frying fish, would fry potatoes in the winter when the river froze. During World War I, American soldiers discovered the fried delights and gave them the name French fries. The dish is now a national symbol of Belgium, where visitors to Brussels, for instance, will find stands serving up French fries throughout the city. One of the many messages written in chalk on sidewalks in Brussels on Tuesday was "Faites des frites, pas la guerre" (Make French fries, not war), according to The Los Angeles Times.
As for the Burger King ad, it was designed to both reflect the public's frustration over a $2 toll and serve as a coupon. Drivers who showed the ad to employees of a Burger King that was the last food stop before a toll road got $2 off a purchase of $10 or more.
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