The meaning and story of Parry Gripp's song "Give A Ham A Hug" is a humorous and lighthearted take on the misconception and fear surrounding the swine flu, particularly in relation to consuming pork products. The song reassures listeners that they won't get the swine flu from eating pork chops, ham, bacon, or other pork-based foods. It encourages people to enjoy their favorite pork dishes, such as a BLT (bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich) or a juicy piece of spam, without worry. The lyrics highlight the irony of people avoiding pork out of fear of contracting the swine flu, implying that this misconception is baseless. The song suggests that instead of shunning pork products, people should embrace them with open arms - symbolized by the phrase "go and give a ham a hug". This phrase emphasizes the playfulness and absurdity of the song, as hugging a ham is both unconventional and humorous. Overall, "Give A Ham A Hug" serves as a lighthearted reminder to not let unfounded fears disrupt the enjoyment of delicious pork products. It aims to put a smile on people's faces while clearing up any misunderstandings about the porcine origin of the swine flu.
