Up until last month, the future of a not-so-cuttly creature was uncertain.

It's that giant inflatable rodent used at union protests for more than 30 years now.

You know, the one resting on its hind legs, with its elongated incisors and scraggly claws.

Sometimes it can be as high as 25 feet tall. The scoundrel in

question is affectionately, or not, known as Scabby the Rat. In 2018, a complaint was filed

with the National Labor Relations Board that had the potential to put an end to Scabby at certain

protests. It was claimed that the de facto mascot of union labor protests could be considered

confrontational, frightening, and coercive. But in late July, the NLRB squashed the complaint,

finding that the use of Scabby that was objected to was fine and was protected by the First Amendment as free speech.

And so scabby lives on to peer over another protest.

But did you know that scabby was born right here in Chicago?

Until a few years ago, we didn't either.

I'm Curie City Digital and Engagement producer Maggie Sivitt.

And today on the show, we go back to a question reporter Max Green helped us answer about the rat and its origins.

Then, we seek out the origins of another sort.

Reporter Monica Ang unravels the history of a popular name used by numerous ice cream shops across the city.

That's coming up.

If you're already a WBEZ member, thank you.

Right now, you have the power to do even more.

If every high fidelity member increase their monthly gift by just $3 or more,

together we could fully replace the $3 million in federal funding that's currently at risk.

Your increased support will help offset that potential loss and keep this people-powered newsroom

...