People Are Pleasantly Surprised After Learning The Story Behind Snickers’ Odd Name

Snickers is undoubtedly among the most popular chocolate bars in the world, with almost 50 million Americans consuming the nougaty treat every year. Nowadays, it is estimated that more than 15 million Snickers are produced each day. However, not every Snickers fan will know that the beloved candy bar owes its peculiar name to, well, a horse.

As the original story goes, Ethel Mars, the co-founder of what we now know as the Mars Company (originally Mar-o-Bar), had a beloved horse named Snickers. Just before their new unnamed chocolate bar went into production, the poor animal passed away. As a tribute and homage to their cherished companion, Ethel and her husband Frank decided to name their newest candy after him.

According to the legend, the Snickers bar takes its name after the inventor’s beloved horse

Image credits: Mark Lehmkuhler

When this deliciously nutty treat made its way across the pond into UK markets in 1968, though, there was an unexpected twist. Executives felt that ‘Snickers’ sounded uncomfortably close to ‘knickers’, or women’s undies, leading them to rename it into Marathon Bar. The name in the UK stuck until 1990 when Mars decided they want universal names for their products.

In spite of some initial resistance from fans attached to old monikers or even size changes over time; one thing remained constant – people’s love for this peanut-filled delight. To this day, not only is Snickers the best-selling candy bar in the US, but it’s also the best-selling chocolate bar worldwide. According to 24/7 Wall Street, more than 400 million Snickers bars (classic 3.5 oz size) are sold per year.

People Are Pleasantly Surprised After Learning The Story Behind Snickers’ Odd Name

Image credits: Rob Mitchell (not the actual photo)

Its popularity skyrocketed following the launch of an iconic advertising campaign during the 2010 Super Bowl featuring the tagline “You’re not you when you’re hungry” and starring celebrities such as Betty White and Elton John.

According to information provided by Mars Inc., the advertising campaign played a role in boosting Snickers’ sales by 15.9%.

Turns out, most Brits still hold a grudge against Mars Inc. because of the name change

People Are Pleasantly Surprised After Learning The Story Behind Snickers’ Odd Name

Ignas is an editor at Bored Panda with an MA in Magazine Journalism. When he is not writing about video games or hunting for interesting stories, chances are that you will find Ignas at the movies.

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Ignas is an editor at Bored Panda with an MA in Magazine Journalism. When he is not writing about video games or hunting for interesting stories, chances are that you will find Ignas at the movies.

Read less »

This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

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This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

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What do you think ?

POST

Peppy Piplup 1 year ago

I dunno, I think the name Starbursts sounds more exciting and whimsical than "Opal Fruits".

8points

JB 1 year ago

But I still ’hear’ the jingle in my head. “Opal fruits! Made to make your mouth water!” What many big brands seem to forget when they are saving pennies (or cents) by streamlining and standardizing manufacturing candy wrappers is the good will (<- legal term, look it up. There is actual, calculable, value) lost when you wipe out a childhood memory. Logically, I know that Starburst candy is mostly the same as Opal Fruits were in my youth but I’ve never bought them since the name changed. Nostalgia has value too.

2points

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Michael 1 year ago

And a bit of an embellishment to say 'most Brits still hold a grudge...' given it happened 33 years ago, much of the population wasn't even born and I doubt many of those who remember really care!! Boomer-clickbait???

3points