Cal Gaunt
Fans of The Simpsons have been left gobsmacked after finding out why Maggie is scanned in the opening credits.
The Simpsons is a long-running animated TV show that follows the lives and adventures of the Simpson family – Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie – in the fictional town of Springfield.
Known for its satirical humour and clever social commentary, the show has become a cultural phenomenon and remains one of the most beloved and iconic animated series of all time.
The show has more than 700 episodes to its name – each featuring the iconic opening credits, but people are only just realising why Maggie, the youngest family member, is scanned at a supermarket checkout.
Well, turns out, it’s not just a random gag – there’s a clever reason behind it.
In the early episodes of The Simpsons, the cash register at the supermarket charged a specific amount for Maggie’s scan – a whopping $847.63.
Related Article: Teletubbies Scene Was So Creepy The Episode Was Banned
Related Article: Disney Fans Stunned After Finding Out Part Of Iconic Intro Animation ‘Was All In Their Imagination’
Now, you might be wondering, why such a peculiar number?
Well, it’s no ordinary figure; it was actually a hidden inside joke planted by the show’s creator, Matt Groening.
In 1989, the year The Simpsons first aired, this amount was the estimated monthly cost of raising a child in the United States. Pretty clever.
As the years rolled by, the creators decided to update the figure to keep it relevant.
In more recent episodes, Marge’s shopping bill showed $243.26 before Maggie’s scan, and then it doubled to $486.52 after she passed through the checkout.
The team behind the show wanted to reflect the ever-increasing cost of raising a child without being tied to a specific amount that would quickly become outdated.
The creators had to keep it real, just like all parents dealing with everyday expenses.
Fans of The Simpsons were genuinely surprised to learn about this hidden gem.
Twitter account Uber Facts shared the revelation, and reactions poured in.
One amazed fan tweeted: “I’ve always wondered about that. Not kidding.”
Another Simpsons aficionado responded with a ‘mind-blown’ gif, capturing the sentiment of many who were stunned by this discovery.
Of course, some fans couldn’t help but point out that the cost of raising a child has risen steeply since the show’s inception.
Related Article: Dark Finding Nemo Fan Theory Is ‘Ruining Childhoods’
Related Article: Jurassic Park Stars ‘Only Now’ Realise Their Age Gap Was ‘Inappropriate’ In First Film
“$847.63 was one month of daycare for an infant (if you’re lucky),” one fan commented, highlighting the real-life struggles many parents face in today’s world.
Speaking of real-life costs, a recent analysis from the Brookings Institution revealed that raising a child in the US now comes with a hefty price tag of approximately $310,000.
With that kind of expense, even The Simpsons‘ cash register might need an upgrade to handle all those zeros.
In the original opening credits for “The Simpsons,” when Maggie is scanned at the grocery store, the price that appears on the cash register is $847.63
This was the estimated cost of raising a baby for one month in 1989
— UberFacts (@UberFacts) July 5, 2022
So there you have it, a fascinating little detail tucked away in The Simpsons‘ iconic opening sequence.
Next time you watch Marge at the supermarket, and Maggie gets scanned, you’ll know there’s more to it than just a humorous family moment.
It’s a clever nod to the ever-changing costs of parenthood and an inside joke from the genius minds behind the show.
Watch our Video of the Day below…
Do you have a story for us? If so, email us at [email protected]. All contact will be treated in confidence.
