Bimbo Coming to Upper Macungie Township (The History of Bimbos)

I wasn’t really aware of Bimbo Bakeries until a few years ago when I was in traffic and there, right in front of me, was a big truck with the word “BIMBO” emblazoned across it with pride.

I thought it was some sort of joke or that it was some Canadian company that didn’t get the joke because Canadians are weird.

But, nope, it’s definitely named Bimbo and it’s definitely the largest bakery in the United States and they are totally expanding in Lehigh Valley (there is one in Easton already.)

Bimbo Bakeries USA plans to build a $75 million bakery near Route 100 in Upper Macungie Township, where the company purchased 30 acres.

The Horsham, Pa.-based company, which owns a bakery on Northampton Street in Wilson Borough, said today the new site will produce bread and buns for the Northeast. It is projected to employ about 100.

Bimbo Bakeries brands include Arnold, Entenmann’s, Sara Lee, and Stroehmann. SOURCE: The Express-Times

Here’s some quick history.

In the English language, “bimbo” is used to describe a dumb woman who has big boobs and is probably pretty. It derived from the Italian word “bambino” which means a young male and it wasn’t until the 1920s that it started to be used as a derogatory term for women. True stuff.

The Bakery is based in Mexico and there really isn’t an equivalent of the English “bimbo” in Spanish. So when Mexcians hear the word “Bimbo” they only think of the bakery company. 

But, of course, since Americans think of bimbos as loose women, it’s funny.

Phew.

“The pronunciation is given on packaging as “Beembo” to distinguish it from the American slang term “bimbo”. Both derive from the same word in Italian but does not have a negative connotation in Spanish.”

The more you know.