Buzz
On March 10, 2008—the day after HBO’s The Wire wrapped up its final case—the show’s creator, David Simon, shared a heartfelt letter of thanks with the show’s small but passionate fanbase. “The Wire premiered six years ago with little fanfare and modest expectations,” he wrote. “It asked for patience, subtlety, and an intense focus on details. It wasn’t for everyone, and we figured that out quickly. But over the seasons, you began to see that we were creating something intricate and meaningful, something that could leave a lasting impact. You trusted Lester Freamon’s belief: that we were building something substantial, and every detail counted.”
With the rise of streaming services and the popularity of binge-watching DVDs, more viewers have had the chance to witness Simon’s portrayal of Baltimore—and the political and criminal drama that comes with it, especially the drugs. And oh, the vast array of drugs.
Simon wasn’t exaggerating when he mentioned the “absurd attention to detail” that watching The Wire demands. With a sprawling ensemble cast and a constant flow of interconnected storylines, all contributing to the broader theme of Baltimore as a microcosm for “the America we pay for and tolerate,” The Wire can be a tough watch, but it’s deeply rewarding. While Simon says, “We wanted to entertain, but we never wanted to be confused for mere entertainment,” the series still has its moments of levity. A notable example is the dozens of brand names used for the drugs sold by Bodie, Poot, Wallace, and the other unforgettable corner boys of Charm City. You have to pay close attention to catch them—it’s often part of the background—but the names evolve from scene to scene, episode to episode, and frequently tie in with larger storylines or real-world events from the show’s 2002 to 2008 run (e.g., Bin Laden, WMD). Here are 41 of them:
1. PANDEMIC: Arguably one of the most iconic brand names from The Wire, this one is best shouted out by stretching the word’s three syllables, repeating with emphasis: Pandemic! Pandemic!
2. APOCALYPSE
3. BENNO
4. BIG BIRD: What do you think Mr. Snuffleupagus would say about this one?
5. BIG YELLOW BIRD: An alternate name for Big Bird.
6. BIN LADEN
7. BIRD FLU
8. BLACK HORSE
9. BLACK TOP
10. BLUE TOP
11. BODY BAG
12. BOTTLE ROCKET
13. BROKEBACK: Introduced in season four during the fall of 2006, the same year Brokeback Mountain claimed three Academy Awards.
14. DEATH ROW
15. DOUBLE CHEESE
16. ELECTION DAY: A unique blend available only on the day of Baltimore’s mayoral election, a pivotal event in the show’s storyline.
17. FAMILY AFFAIR: The Wire’s first season dives deep into the operations of the Barksdale family, Baltimore’s fictional drug-dealing dynasty.
18. GOLD STARS: A fitting symbol of quality, considering most of the drug dealers in The Wire are school-aged individuals.
19. GREEN TOP
20. GREENHOUSE GAS
21. ICICLE
22. IN THE HOLE: Introduced during the first season of the series, likely a reference to the show’s theme song, "Way Down in the Hole" by Tom Waits (performed by different artists in each season).
23. KILLER BEE
24. LANDFILL
25. MIKE TYSON: Marketed with the tagline “It will knock you on your ass.”
26. MISTLETOE: Available exclusively during the holiday season.
27. PAYBACK
28. PLYMOUTH ROCK: A holiday-themed creation.
29. RASHEED
30. RED DILLY
31. RED TOP
32. REDDIES
33. ROCKEFELLER
34. Q TIP
35. SHEED WALLACE: A more formal version of the earlier mentioned “Rasheed,” named in honor of the NBA’s all-time leader in technical fouls.
36. SPIDER BAGS
37. TECH NINE: Named after the 9mm semi-automatic pistol.
38. TRUMP TOWERS: Clearly a symbol of luxury and class.
39. WMD: Another notorious favorite, WMD—which claims to “mass destruct your ass”—is sold during seasons two and three. Even the police acknowledge it’s the bomb.
40. YELLOW JACKET
41. YELLOW TOP
