I remember the email forward about this :))
Supposedly the official story is, Grimace is a tastebud...
But I like these better:
1. Grimace is an ube mascot. Mc Donald's must've had ube-flavored ice creams or shakes before.
2. He is the bastard child of Tinky Winky of the Teletubbies (who's also rumored to be gay) and an eggplant. (this one is my favourite
3. Grimace is violet Crayon left to melt under the sun by kids eating at McDonald's playgrounds.
4. Grimace must have been a grape-flavored drink. Maybe the drink was really sour and it made people grimace. That's why he's called Grimace!
5. He's the ugliest McDonald's mascot. That's why they covered him up with another costume - a purple one that's so heavy he can't even take it off himself!
6. Grimace is all the McDonald's food items thrown and mixed in a blender. (LOL)
7. Grimace is a milkshake
8. McDonald's wanted to introduce kamote French Fries when they first came to the Philippines. That's why they created Grimace. He's a kamote. (pwede rin!)
9. He's the twin brother of Ronald McDonald. Originally they looked alike but Grimace, who is mentally retarded, was a disgrace to the family and to the name. That's why they made him wear the purple costume.
10. Here's one of the best theories so far: Grimace, who, along with other Mc Donald's characters like Officer Big Mac, Mayor McCheese, and Hamburglar, were introduced in the 70s, represents the Blueberry Milkshakes, launched in the US in the 70s. He was actually called Evil Grimace at first since he always liked to steal other people's milkshakes. He came from an island full of fun and milkshake-loving other purple Grimace-types. Neat, huh?