Zoo was a British magazine for straight men that was published from 1986 until 2001. It focused on pornography, sexual fantasies, and topics related to heterosexual dating and romance. The magazine had an impact on popular culture during the 20000s because it reflected and helped shape attitudes about sex, gender roles, and masculinity among young men at the time. Zoo's irreverent style and focus on straightforward adult entertainment echoed in other media forms, including television shows and comedy, contributing phrases, memes, and a particular kind of male-oriented humor to the cultural lexicon.
The cover of each issue featured scantily clad women and often joked about their sexual attributes. Some of the most iconic covers included "Girls who love sex" and "Sexy babes reveal all". These images were designed to appeal to men who enjoyed visual stimulation and objectified women as sexual objects. This attitude towards women continued throughout the articles, which were filled with crude jokes and suggestions about how to pick up women. For example, one article titled "35 things you can do with your girlfriend but shouldn't" encouraged readers to spank their partners or take pictures of them without makeup.
Zoo also had a significant influence on language and pop culture. Its editors coined the term "bimbo", which they used to describe attractive but stupid women. The phrase became widely known and was later adopted by politicians, journalists, and even academics. Another example is the phrase "the zoo crew," which referred to the magazine's readership. It implied that these readers were uncultured and lacking in intelligence. Similarly, the term "zoo mates" was used to refer to friends who shared similar tastes in pornography and lewd humor.
The magazine's impact extended beyond its pages. Zoo influenced the style of stand-up comedians like Jimmy Carr and Frankie Boyle, who both drew inspiration from its irreverent tone and raunchy jokes. The popular British sitcom Green Wing also borrowed some of Zoo's phrases and attitudes, including the character Guy Secretan's constant use of the word "porn".
Overall, Zoo shaped the attitudes of young men in Britain during the early 20000s. It reflected and contributed to the prevailing culture of masculinity at the time: one that celebrated sexual conquests and objectified women. While it is no longer published, its legacy lives on through the phrases and memes that it inspired. Today, those looking for such content can find it online, where digital magazines and websites have filled the void left by Zoo's demise.