Awards season is always full of memorable moments, but one of the most interesting details about the Academy Awards is the name of its famous golden statuette. Today, nearly everyone casually refers to the prize as an “Oscar,” whether they are discussing winners, nominees, or standout performances. Yet that nickname was not how the award originally began. Its official title is the Academy Award of Merit, a far more formal name that reflected the seriousness and prestige of the organization behind it. Over time, however, the shorter and catchier nickname took hold in popular culture and became the term most people now use without a second thought. While the exact origin of the word “Oscar” is still debated, one popular story claims that Academy librarian Margaret Herrick once said the statue looked like her Uncle Oscar. Another theory credits columnist Sidney Skolsky, who reportedly used the term in a lighthearted way in print during the 1930s. Whatever its true beginning, the nickname quickly stuck and became part of Hollywood history.

The lead-up to the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, 2026, has also produced its share of entertaining headlines and online debate. Conan O’Brien, returning as host for the second year in a row, recently admitted that he and his writing team struggled to come up with a joke about Best Picture nominee Train Dreams, eventually deciding to cut one that did not land well with audiences. At the same time, conversations around the Oscars have continued beyond comedy, with people revisiting last year’s nominee luncheon photo, which sparked criticism online over the visible imbalance in representation. Elsewhere, actress Kate Winslet once again charmed fans by sharing the funny reason she keeps her Oscar in her bathroom: so guests can enjoy pretending to give an acceptance speech in private. Together, these stories show that the Oscars remain more than just an awards ceremony—they are a mix of glamour, tradition, humor, and endless public conversation.