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Snickers Fans Are Just Realizing The Odd Reason Behind Its Name
Chocolate lovers are only just finding out the backstory behind Snickers’ unusual name.
Snickers bars, which are made by Mars, Inc., consist of nougat topped with caramel and peanuts, encased in milk chocolate.
Arguably, it’s one of the most popular sweet treats in the world – yet many people don’t know the odd origin behind its moniker.
It all started back in 1911 when Frank Mars began his first confectionery business, which ultimately failed, but he and his second wife, Ethel, persisted and later founded what would become the Mars Company.
Frank and Ethel refused to give up and eventually founded the Mar-O-Bar Company in the 1920s, which later evolved into Mars, Incorporated.
It had amazing success with its first launch – the Milky Way bar – and it meant the entrepreneurs had money to invest.
According to Mashed, Frank and Ethel purchased a 3,000-acre horse breeding farm in Tennessee, which they are believed to have named ‘The Milky Way Farm.’
Sadly, Ethel’s favorite horse, Snickers, died around the time the pair were launching a new chocolate bar.
So they decided to name it after the horse in his honor.
The sweet treat would go on to be manufactured in Chicago and it reportedly sold for five cents.
When Snickers was brought over to the U.K., it’s widely believed that executives decided that the name sounded far too much like ‘knickers’ – so they renamed it Marathon.
The name stuck until 1990 and then Mars decided it wanted universal names for its products.
Ever since it’s been known as Snickers worldwide.
Despite the name change, Snickers’ recipe remained the same, but maddeningly, some U.K. fans have refused to continue buying it.
Many people have taken to social media and reacted to the Snickers’ origin story – and for many, it’s been a complete eye-opener.
One person insisted: “I shall still never eat one again until they are called Marathon again.”
Another added: “Now this, is the kind of trivia we all need. I did not know that!”
Somebody else commented: “I was today years old when I found out the meaning behind the Snickers candy bar name.”
Despite there being fierce competition in the chocolate world, Snickers continues to thrive, and in 2010, its popularity increased hugely thanks to a now-iconic advertising campaign.
During the Super Bowl, an advert starring The Golden Girls actress Betty White aired with the memorable slogan: “You’re not you when you’re hungry.”
Since then, several celebrities have gone on to star in Snickers ads, including Elton John, Joan Collins, and even Rowan Atkinson’s Mr. Bean.
Over the years, the brand has launched several spinoffs, including variant flavors such as peanut butter and white chocolate.
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