How 19 Delicious Candies Got Their Names

AKA Eat 'em-ology.

1. M&M's

Via beautydoesmatter.blogspot.com

These little morsels of goodness were named after two princes of the confectionary world, Forrest Mars, Sr., (of the Mars Company Mars') and Bruce Murrie (son of Bill Murrie, former president of Hershey's Chocolate). Mars struck a deal with Murrie to make the candy, since Murrie had access to rationed chocolate during World War II. However, when the war ended, Mars "maneuvered Bruce out of the partnership", making "M" and "M" forever candy rivals.

2. Sugar Daddy

Via oldtimecandy.com

Originally called "Papa Sucker," it was changed to "Sugar Daddy" in 1932 since that was a more popular phrase at the time and evoked a "wealth of sweetness."

3. Kit Kat

Via buzzfeed.com

This is a weird one, so bear with me. These were named after a term for mutton pies in the early 18th century in England, which in turn were named after a political and literary club, which was named after the innkeeper where the club meetings were held. The innkeeper was named Christopher Catt, and since "Kit" is a nickname for Christopher... Kit-Cat. Eventually, English confectionary company Rowntree's (who then created the candy) trademarked the names "Kit Cat" and "Kit Kat" in 1911, and the rest, as they say, is chocolate-y history.

4. Snickers

Via smartcanucks.ca

"Snickers" was the name of a favorite horse that the Mars family owned. This totally makes sense, because this is what you eat when you are as hungry as one. *snickers*

5. Baby Ruth

Via snoozebuttongeneration.com

On first look, this candy bar is obviously named after legendary baseball player Babe Ruth, right? Yes and no. In 1921 the Curtiss Candy Company reshaped and renamed it's Kandy Kake to the Baby Ruth, claiming the name was in honor of President Grover Cleveland's deceased daughter, Ruth. However, at the same time Babe Ruth's fame was rising, leaving some to speculate that the name was a way to capitalize on his fame without paying him an endorsement deal. Whatever the case, Sloth still loves them.

6. 3 Musketeers

Via oldtimecandy.com

This one blew my mind because 3 MUSKETEERS USED TO HAVE THREE FLAVORS IN EACH PACKAGE! THAT IS WHY IT HAS "3" IN THE TITLE. Three separate pieces of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry is what you got. But due to wartime rationing, it was replaced with just one chocolate bar, leaving the name to make no sense for eternity.

7. Jujyfruits/Jujubes

bubblews.com

These filling-pullers get their name after their original main ingredient, ju-ju gum.

8. PEZ

Via nothingbutcandies.com

The name is a derivation of the German word for peppermint, which is pfefferminz, and the original flavor of the little block candies.

9. Jolly Rancher

Via candygurus.com

Apparently, the name was chosen by it's Colorado-based creators in 1949 to "suggest a hospitable, western company".

10. Chick-O-Stick

Via candy.org

According to Erik Atkinson, president of Atkinson Candy Company, the name was a ""business decision" made by his grandfather, who started the company. But it's derived from "chicken bones," which is the name of the recipe that Chick-O-Sticks are based on.

11. Abba-Zaba

candywrappermuseum.com

Yeah... So, Annabelle's, who makes the taffy candy now, bought it from the Cardinet Candy Company, who bought it from Colby & McDermott. What I thought of as a nonsense sounding name is, according to some, a "made-up imaginary Zulu jungle savage utterance." Chew on that.

12. Junior Mints

Via en.wikipedia.org

Like "Baby Ruth," Junior Mints were named after something popular at the time, but changed just enough in order to not pay royalties, in this case a play entitled Junior Miss.

13. Oh Henry!

Via itsyummi.com

When this candy bar was created, there was some young dude named Henry who used to come around the candy factory and get "friendly" with the girls who worked there. George Williamson, who owned the factory, would hear the girls exclaim, "Oh, Henry..." as they asked him for favors. So Williamson named the new candy bar Oh Henry! Isn't that sweet?

14. Milk Duds

Via en.wikipedia.org

The original goal of the candy was to be made into perfectly round shapes, but they kept coming out as, well, duds. The "milk" refers to all the milk in the candy, duh?

15. Life Savers

Via sweets.seriouseats.com

Since they look like "mini life preservers," they were named after the flotation devices in 1912. Also, the mint ones will save save your life when on a date or in an interview, FYI.

16. Sixlets

Via addins.wgem.com

The theory on this name is that they were once sold six pieces to a tube (the closest they get now is 8 to a tube).

17. Smarties

Via lehighvalleylive.com

Ever hear the phrase "That smarts"? It basically means "that hurt." Or, in this case, "that made my face pucker unexpectedly." Hence, Smarties.

18. Twix

dragonslairfans.com

The United States was introduced to Twix in 1979, but was known throughout the rest of the world as the "Raider" bar. However, in 1991, Mars converted all Raider countries to Twix ones.

19. Butterfinger

Via recipegirl.com

Named in 1923 through a public submission contest, the name is in reference to klutzes, especially when it comes to sports. If that same contest was held today, the candy bar would probably be named "Hey! Get Your Head Out of Your Ass!"