In the U.S., they gained popularity under their Dutch name, the “Smurfs,” becoming a perennial pop culture reference after a Saturday morning TV show began airing in 1981.

Now, there’s the concept of “smurfing” among computer gamers, referring to skilled practitioners who play anonymously. In the banking industry, “smurfing” is a term for a money launderer. There’s also the 1980s break-dance style and even Smurf conspiracy theories.

Six years ago, a village in Spain agreed to have all of its buildings painted blue to celebrate the premiere of a Smurf movie. The publicity stunt worked, turning the sleepy settlement into a tourist attraction.

Patrick Boehler contributed reporting.

_____

Your Morning Briefing is published weekdays at 6 a.m. Eastern and updated all morning. Browse past briefings here.

If photographs appear out of order, please download the updated New York Times app from iTunes or Google Play.

What would you like to see here? Contact us at briefing@nytimes.com.

You can get the briefing delivered to your inbox Sunday through Friday. We have four global editions, timed for the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australia. Check out our full range of free newsletters here.