The Academy Awards are this Sunday night. Or as most people casually refer to them, The Oscars. Which is also the name of the gold statuette the winners receive. But why is it called an “Oscar”?
The Academy officially started using the name “Oscar” for the trophies in 1939. One of the most popular stories behind the whole thing is that Margaret Herrick who was the Academy executive secretary, first saw the award in 1931 and said the statuette reminded her of her “Uncle Oscar”. Which was also a nickname her family called their cousin Oscar Pierce. Then it just stuck ever since.
If you’re wondering, the Oscar is made of metal and coated with 24 karat gold!
Now you have these two fun tidbits to impress your Oscar Party guest with.
Photo credit: REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni