"Spagmumps, n.: Any of the millions of Styrofoam wads that accompany mail-order items." - Rich Hall & Friends, "Sniglets"

The humble art of mail-order shopping has been a staple of consumer culture for decades, allowing people to browse catalogs and websites from the comfort of their own homes and have their purchases delivered right to their doorsteps. However, as many of us can attest, the excitement of receiving a package in the mail can be tempered by the often-messy aftermath of unpacking, particularly when it comes to the unsightly and ubiquitous packaging materials that often accompany our purchases. One of the most reviled and beloved of these materials is, of course, the Styrofoam wad - or, as it's come to be known in the lexicon of comedy writer Rich Hall, the "Spagmumps."

For the uninitiated, Spagmumps refer to any of the millions of small wads of Styrofoam that are often used to fill empty spaces in shipping boxes and protect fragile items during transit. They can be found in a wide range of sizes and shapes, from the tiny, pellet-like beads that are used to fill large boxes, to the more substantial, egg-like wads that are often used to cradle individual items. While they may be effective at preventing damage to the items they're meant to protect, Spagmumps have a number of downsides - not least of which is their tendency to scatter everywhere when a package is opened, leaving a trail of tiny, white debris in their wake.

Despite their pesky nature, Spagmumps have become an inescapable part of the mail-order experience, and have even developed a certain nostalgic charm for some. For many people, the sight of a box overflowing with Spagmumps is a nostalgic reminder of late-night shopping sprees and the excitement of waiting for a package to arrive in the mail. Others have even found creative ways to reuse their Spagmumps, using them as packing materials for their own shipments, or incorporating them into craft projects.

However, the environmental impact of Spagmumps cannot be ignored. Made from a type of plastic that's not biodegradable, Spagmumps are not typically accepted by curbside recycling programs, and can end up in landfills and oceans if not disposed of properly. In recent years, a number of companies have begun to explore alternative packaging materials, such as biodegradable packing peanuts made from cornstarch or other plant-based materials. While these alternatives are not yet widely available, they represent a promising step towards reducing the environmental impact of mail-order shopping.

In the meantime, Spagmumps remain a ubiquitous part of the mail-order experience, and a source of both frustration and fascination for consumers. Whether you're a nostalgic fan of these pesky little wads, or simply someone who's tired of cleaning them up, one thing is certain - Spagmumps are here to stay, at least for the time being. As we continue to shop online and have our purchases delivered to our doorsteps, we can expect to be dealing with Spagmumps for years to come. So, the next time you open a package and find yourself surrounded by a sea of white, take a moment to appreciate the humble Spagmumps - they're a small, but significant, part of the mail-order experience.