Trending
People are just learning what 'KitKat' stands for
By Twisted
28 Aug 2024
2m
In today's instalment of 'things I've only just learnt', people are just discussing what KitKat stands for... and it's a lot posher than we thought!
Yup, KitKats are beloved across the UK, but we bet most of you have no idea about the history of its name.
So, let's dive into it.
What does KitKat stand for?
Far more than just a choccy bar we grab when we wanna have a break, the KitKat is actually named after one of the UK's most exclusives clubs, The Kit Kat Club.
Whilst it's owned by Nestle today, it actually used to live under the Rowntree's umbrella of products, and went by the name Rowntree’s Chocolate Crisp.
When Nestle took over ownership of KitKats, the name came about soon after.
“This somewhat simple name was derived from the Kit Kat Club, an exclusive 18th-century club for the elite in London,” explains Nestlé’s site.
The KitKat Club had "political and literary associations," and was a fine dining club for gentlemen.
“The name was chosen to add a hint of sophistication and grandness to this sweet and smooth snack.” Oooh err!
Whilst the name is a little bit fancy, KitKat has always advertised itself at the average worker, rather than the elite.
The Huffington Post cites a New York Times article, which suggests even early ads were for rail workers on their breaks.
However, they add that the members club name might be intended to be a "vague association with something fancy" rather than something which was "meant to be exclusively eaten by the nobility" – think a special treat for everyday families.
Today, there have been 17 billion KitKats eaten around the world annually, and they've evolved from the four finger wafer bars they once were.
And hey, now you can buy one and impress everyone with your knowledge of their origins.
Thanks for coming to our history lesson!
Featured image: Getty
