While the concept of "spoiling" an ending has existed for decades, the specific terminology evolved through fan culture:
In 1971, National Lampoon founder Doug Kenney ran a feature titled "Spoilers" that revealed the endings of classic films like Citizen Kane and Psycho . Spoiler AlertHD
There is ongoing debate regarding whether spoilers actually ruin the entertainment experience: While the concept of "spoiling" an ending has
By the late 1980s, the term became a staple of "netiquette," often followed by "spoiler space"—several blank lines intended to prevent accidental reading. The Psychological Impact of Spoilers Spoiler AlertHD