The principle dates back to the 18th century, when the British East India Company sincerely thanked consumers for purchasing their silk, indigo dye, and tea by giving them all opium addictions and syphilis. Then, as they left again for India, they would yell back to those standing on the dock, "thou facinorous scuts!" - the 18th century equivalent of "Ha, ha! Fuck you!" Those were simpler times. When the principle was brought to America in the 20th century, it took on entirely new dimensions.