Vuvuzela : 20 Interesting Things

A little tongue-in-cheek, Kristian Walsh explores these 20 'facts' about that oh-so-irritating horn:

1. Despite its clear links to South Africa and the fact that most South African fans have a horn tied around their neck, the vuvuzela originated in Mexico.

2. The vuvuzela, which is now made solely of plastic, used to be made out of tin.

3. ... this occured because the tin vuvuzela was banned from football stadiums. It was regarded as a dangerous weapon - physcially dangerous as opposed to mentally, presumably.

4. ... all of this is according to Freddie Maake, South African club team Kaiser Chief's version of John Portsmouth, who claims to have invented the vuvuzela by adapting an aluminium version as early as 1965 from a bicycle horn.

5. The aforementioned Makke produced an album called Vuvuzela Cellular. The vuvuzela featured heavily and it was ten tracks long. None of the tracks are currently in the UK Top 40.

6. The worries about the vuvuzela's noise seem to be well justified. A stadium full of vuvuzelas can hit up to 130 decibels - a chainsaw can only reach a meagre 100.

7. Hearing damage can occur in less than 15 minutes.

8. The average cost of one from a street vendor is £2, although no doubt there will be some BOGOF (blow one, get one free) deals this summer.

9. Broadcasters wanted it banned as there were fears it would harrass armchair fans across the globe, but another loud and annoying instrument jumped to its defence: "That is what African and South Africa football is all about - noise, excitement, dancing, shouting and enjoyment," said the Fifa president, Sepp Blatter.

10. A vuvuzela is not just for life, or just for South Africa - it can also irritate the neighbours on these shores. They can be bought on Amazon.

11. ITV voiced their concerns regarding the England game over the weekend: “We have the ability to adjust sound levels to ensure there is the right balance of crowd and pitch atmosphere and the commentary. We’re not going to cut out the crowd sound completely as it is an important part of the atmosphere." Perhaps ITV should have focused on not putting advertisements on-screen during moments football fans have anticipating for years, instead.

12. Not only can it cause violent urges from usually rational people, it can spread colds and flu.

13. South African Itumeleng Khune loves them and doesn't think there's enough.

14. Vuvuzelas can be used as a beer funnel or makeshift goalposts.

15. If the thought of a 'normal' sized vuvuzela makes you shudder, grab a stiff drink as you contemplate the world's biggest vuvuzela in Cape Town which measures over 35 metres long.

16. Even football teams have tried to get the instrument banned, as there are worries coaches cannot communicate with players enough. The French national squad have petitioned to have every seat installed with them, so they can't hear Raymond Domenech.

17. Also known as "lepatata", which is its Setswana name.

18. Neil van Schalkwyk - the man who is essentially credited with the vuvuzela - says the vuvuzela industry is worth 50 million rand (£44 million) in South Africa and Europe. It's a small price for being the most hated man in football.

19. It has produced such masterpieces as this.

20. No matter what you think of the vuvuzela, at least it's not as annoying as the England band.