Hanna spray-painted "Kurt Smells Like Teen Spirit" on Cobain's bedroom wall.

Hanna was actually making fun of him. She meant he smelled like Teen Spirit , a popular brand of deodorant worn by his then-girlfriend, Tobi Vail. Cobain reportedly didn't realize it was a deodorant brand until months after the single was released. The Writing and Recording Process

Cobain, who was discussing anarchism and punk rock at the time, interpreted the phrase as a revolutionary slogan about youth rebellion.