Boba Milk Tea

In 1980s Hong Kong that was the nickname of actress 葉子楣 (Amy Yip) and nobody was being subtle about it.

Then in 1988 a vendor in Taiwan needed a name for his oversized tapioca pearls. He borrowed hers. Which makes 波霸 the only nickname in history that is both a filthy joke and a completely accurate product description.

In 1988 a Taiwan vendor borrowed that nickname for oversized tapioca — 波霸: filthy joke, accurate product description.

The milk was already in there. The name just stopped pretending.