Why Are Volkswagen Beetles Called Slug Bugs?

The Volkswagen Beetle is undoubtedly one of the most iconic and beloved vehicles of all time. Though it was discontinued in the early 2000s, there’s no denying that its influence and appeal still linger to this day. It’s so beloved that it’s been given many affectionate nicknames, such as “Slug Bug” and “Punch Buggy.”

But why do people call the Beetle a “Slug Bug” and how exactly did this whole thing start?

Why Are Beetles Called Slug Bugs?

The term “Slug Bug” comes from an old game where a player shouts “Slug Bug!” upon spotting a Beetle and punches another player in the arm. “Slug” refers to the punch whereas “Bug” is another nickname for the Beetle.

Much like Slug Bug, there was also a game called “Punch Buggy” with the same set of rules. 

The only difference between the two is that the term “Slug Bug” was commonly used by people from the West Coast while “Punch Buggy” was more common on the East Coast.

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How to Play Slug Bug

If you want to learn how to play the game responsible for giving the Beetle one of its beloved nicknames, follow these steps carefully.

Pick a Partner

Before you start playing, make sure you have people to play with. It’s completely possible to play Slug Bug with only one other person. Likewise, you can play with a large group of four or more people.

Watch the Road

The objective of the game is to look out for Volkswagen Beetles. It’s a little trickier to play nowadays because Beetles have become relatively rare, but that makes it all the more satisfying when you see one.

Punch Your Partner

After spotting a Beetle, call out “Slug Bug!” as quickly as possible and punch someone you’re playing with on the shoulder. It doesn’t have to be a hard punch. It’s better to give them a soft, gentle punch to avoid hurting them.

Keep Score

As fun as it is to punch people without having to keep track of the score, Slug Bug is, at the end of the day, a game. There’s a clear-cut winner and loser, with the winner being whoever delivers the most punches. It’s easy to track this by keeping score. As you play, keep a tally of how many times each player punches another.

Other Rules

If you decide to play this game in a car, don’t count any Beetles you see if you drive past a Volkswagen dealership. It’s also important to penalize players who mistakenly call out without spotting a Beetle. Deduct a point every time this happens.

At the end of the day, there are no hard rules when it comes to Slug Bug, but it’s strongly recommended to end the game after one player has gotten a certain amount of points.

Why Is It Called a Beetle?

Believe it or not, the Beetle’s official name isn’t the Beetle. Instead, it’s called the Volkswagen Type One. Since that didn’t roll off the tongue quite as well, many people affectionately called it the “Beetle” because of its rotund, bug-like shape.

Though historians haven’t been able to track down the first instance of the vehicle being referred to as the Beetle, the name eventually took on. The name was eventually adopted by Volkswagen for marketing purposes.

Why Did Volkswagen Discontinue the Beetle?

Despite being an iconic and beloved vehicle, buyers’ preferences shifted away from the Beetle and towards larger vehicles capable of transporting big families. This meant there was more money to be made making SUVs, crossovers, and minivans.

In 2003, the last Beetle rolled off the assembly line in Puebla, New Mexico. Volkswagen shifted its focus away from the Beetle and prioritized developing newer models to cater to modern tastes and trends.

However, even if the Beetle has been discontinued, that doesn’t mean it’s completely off the market. Used car dealerships might still have them. You could also get one from a private seller. But before getting your hands on a Volkswagen Beetle, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with its overall reliability and common problems.

Volkswagen Beetle Trivia

Here are some fun facts that you may not know about this beloved model.

Big as a Blue Whale’s Heart

The blue whale is the largest living animal on earth, capable of growing up to 100 feet long and weighing as much as 200 tons. This means their hearts are massive—roughly the size of a Volkswagen Beetle.

Designed By a Student

The chassis design of the Beetle was designed by an 18-year-old Hungarian student by the name of Bela Barenyi. He created the design a decade before the first Beetle was made in 1938. Bela contributed numerous innovations to automobile design and is now considered one of the fathers of car safety.

Has Different Names in Different Countries

Though the Volkswagen Type One is known as the Beetle in America, other nicknames emerged and were popular in other countries. In France, the Type One is known as the “Coccinelle,” which means “The Ladybug.” It’s called the “Kodak,” meaning “frog” in Indonesia. In Germany, it is known as the “ Käfer,” which also translates to “beetle.”