Brown M&M

A seemingly trivial indicator that more potentially serious problems exist in a given situation. Synonymous with "canary in a coal mine" Originated by the rock group Van Halen in the early 1980's. At the time, Van Halen had an elaborate stage show designed by the band itself, requiring substantial technical expertise to set up. In order to determine if the promoter had actually read - and followed - the contract, a clause stating that a bowl of M&M candies must be provided, with the brown ones removed upon pain of forfeiture of the show at full price. At the time, it was thought that the band was being petty and demanding (a rumor that the band allowed to perpetuate), but the real reason was to set a quality control measure that, if present, would signify that the specifics of the contract weren't being followed, requiring a thorough, detailed inspection of the setup with cancellation (at full pay) soon following after discovery of unsafe conditions.