ELI5 Spanish Flu - as a global pandemic, why was it nicknamed Spanish Flu?

ELI5 Explain Like I'm 5: Bite sized answers to stuff you should know about - in a mini podcast

Why was the Spanish Flu of 1918 called the Spanish Flu when it was a global pandemic? Why was the 2nd wave more deadly than the first? How many people were affected? Where did it originate?

... We explain like i'm five!

Thank you to the r/explainlikeimfive community as always and in particular the following users whose questions and comments formed the basis of this discussion: whosafossa, scriptifex, thatsnicemyman, bakanogami & alohapizzaguy

Article referenced:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/journal-plague-year-180965222/

To the ELI5 community that has supported us so far, thanks for all your feedback and comments. Join us on Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/eli5ThePodcast/

or send us an e-mail:

[email protected]