Tales behind goodies

What does "Doritos" mean? The naming of our favourite snacks

Image: Nelly Antoniadou

Doritos, Kit Kats, Oreos… We don’t think twice about the names of these products when we pick them up. It feels like those words have been in our vocabulary forever –and, indeed, the history of some of these brands exceeds our lifetimes! Today, we want to look into the motives and creative associations that gave birth to the names of the world’s favourite snacks.

Image: DENİZ ÇAĞLUSU

The name Doritos is thought to come from the Spanish doradito, meaning "little golden thing". A fitting description for the bright, fried tortilla chips, don’t you think?

Their story begins in the 1960s at Disneyland, where a restaurant run by Frito-Lay began repurposing leftover tortillas by cutting and frying them instead of tossing them.

Image: Obi

Launched by Nabisco in 1934, Ritz crackers were named to conjure an image of luxury in the middle of the Great Depression.

"Ritz" evoked the glamour of the Ritz hotels, offering people a small "bite of the good life" during hard times.

Image: Justin

Kit Kat snacks were born as "Rowntree’s Chocolate Crisp" in the UK. Not very catchy.

However, they were eventually rebranded with a name inspired by London’s 18th-century "Kit-Cat Club," a gathering spot for political and literary figures. And "Kit Kat" was certainly easier to market globally!

Image: No Revisions

Nabisco trademarked Oreo in 1912, but they never explained the true meaning of their cookie’s name. Theories abound: some say it comes from the French or ("gold"), others suggest the Greek oreo ("mountain"), or that it was simply a short, punchy word chosen to be memorable.

Image: Shyam Mishra

When Mars introduced this nougat, caramel, and peanut bar, they named it after the family’s favorite horse, Snickers.

The bar went on to become one of the best-selling candies in the world, though in the UK it was marketed for decades as "Marathon" before aligning with the global name.

Image: Midas Hofstra

Another favourite treat launched in the UK! Twix got its name as a clever contraction of "twin sticks," referring to the two cookie-and-caramel bars packaged side by side.

It was important for the name to indicate the bar’s unique double format, which would set it apart from single-stick competitors like Mars or Milky Way.

Image: Oksana Zub

The two "Ms" derive from Forrest Mars and Bruce Murrie, the unlikely business partners who brought the candy.

Mars had the recipe for chocolate coated in a hard shell (inspired by similar treats eaten by Spanish soldiers), while Murrie, son of Hershey’s president, secured access to wartime chocolate supplies.

Image: Giorgio Trovato

Originally styled as "Chee-tos," the name was meant to be playful, quirky, and easy for kids to say. And, of course, to remind them of cheese!

The brand took off nationally after partnering with Frito-Lay, and later introduced the mascot Chester Cheetah, which became a snack-world cultural icon.

Image: Zoshua Colah

Lay’s logo and bright colors are a signature aesthetic, but the origin of their name is quite straightforward: The brand was founded by Herman W. Lay.

This chip company was one of the first to successfully market packaged potato chips nationwide in the US.

Image: Michelle Riach

The bite-sized chocolate drops earned the name "Kisses" from their smooch-like shape and possibly the gentle kissing sound made by early machines. Today, Kisses remain one of the company’s signature products.

Image: Zoshua Colah

The name of Kellogg’s toaster pastry was a pun on the trendy Pop Art movement of the era, the 60s. Funnily enough, nowadays, some people might struggle to define pop art, but they can certainly describe the snack!

Image: Nikolaos Kofidis

Did you know that Ferrero’s famous spread began as a wartime improvisation? Scarce cocoa was mixed with hazelnuts, and it soon became the crowd’s favourite.

It first appeared as Giandujot, then Supercrema, before Michele Ferrero rebranded it, combining the English word "nut" with the friendly Italian-sounding suffix "-ella."

Image: Safwan C K

Created in Switzerland by Theodor Tobler, the bar fused his family name with torrone, the Italian word for nougat. Its triangular shape was a nod to Alpine peaks that are also a trademark of their packaging. It remains one of the most iconic Swiss exports.

The 12 longest-living animals on Earth (and how they cheat time)

Nature doesn’t just create beauty, it crafts survival miracles. While most animals have short lives, a rare few have mastered the art of staying alive for centuries, even millennia. These aren’t just long-lived creatures; they’re nature’s ultimate time travelers. From the frozen depths of the oceans to the darkest corners underground, they’ve developed bizarre, brilliant strategies to cheat death. Get ready to meet 12 animals whose lifespans will absolutely blow your mind.

Record age: up to 15,000 years

This unassuming sea sponge thrives in the freezing waters of Antarctica, where temperatures hover around 28.6 °F—so cold that biological processes hit the brakes. In such icy conditions, metabolism slows to a crawl, allowing these sponges to live for thousands of years.

Some have reached impressive sizes of over 3 feet tall and have been around since mammoths were still thundering across the tundra. They don’t move, they don’t stress, and they barely change, just quietly existing while centuries pass them by. Their secret to extreme longevity? Glacial patience, deep-sea stillness, and a lifestyle that redefines "low-maintenance".

Age: technically… infinite

This tiny jellyfish, no bigger than a fingernail—less than 0.2 inches—is like the ocean’s very own Benjamin Button. What makes it truly extraordinary is its ability to rewind its life story, flipping back to a youthful, juvenile stage whenever it wants. While it’s not completely invincible (predators and other threats are still very real), if left undisturbed, it can keep hitting the reset button on aging indefinitely, making it one of the most fascinating "time-benders" in nature.

Record age: 507 years

In 2006, a special clam was discovered buried deep in the seabeds of the North Atlantic. Scientists were able to determine that it had been there since at least 1499—that’s centuries before the United States was even a thought! This ancient marvel, nicknamed "Ming", was able to perfect a slow-and-steady approach to life. Growing at a snail’s pace and barely budging, Ming’s sedentary lifestyle turned out to be a brilliant strategy for beating the clock. Who knew doing almost nothing could be the ultimate secret to longevity?

Record age: estimated 392 years

These sharks aren’t your average ocean cruisers—they can stretch over 20 feet long and weigh up to 2,200 pounds. But what’s really mindblowing is how slowly they move, like they’re in a permanent state of deep relaxation. Living in the icy Arctic waters, these giants don’t hit adulthood until they’re about 150 years old, and some can glide through the depths for nearly 400 years. Imagine that! These ancient swimmers were already around before America declared independence... and they are still out there, silently roaming the seas!

Record age: over 211 years

This whale is a true ocean giant, stretching up to 60 feet long and weighing a staggering 200,000 pounds. But what makes it stand out isn’t just its size but its age. Some of these majestic creatures carry harpoons from the 1800s still lodged in their skin, like walking history books. Just picture living so long that you’re literally carrying outdated technology embedded in your body—talk about being a time traveler of the seas!

Record age: 200 years

Spanning the chilly Pacific coastline from California all the way up to Alaska, this spiky little ball—about 7 inches across—is full of surprises. It munches on algae and calls the deep, dark ocean its home, thriving at depths of up to 300 feet. Don’t let its size fool you: this prickly creature is a true elder of the cold seas, quietly outliving many ocean neighbors while keeping a low profile. A tough, slow-living veteran wrapped in spikes!

Record age: 226 years

Meet Hanako, a legendary Japanese koi who swam through life for an astonishing 226 years. Scientists discovered how old she was by studying the rings on her scales, much like counting the growth rings of a tree. These colorful, ornamental fish aren’t just symbols of good fortune; they’re also secret long-lifers with the potential to celebrate over two centuries of birthdays, as long as they get the right care and a peaceful pond to call home.

Record age: 190 years

Jonathan is a male tortoise living on the remote island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean. He was born back in 1832, and he’s still happily chomping lettuce and soaking up the sun today. Weighing in at more than 400 pounds and measuring around 3 feet long, Jonathan holds the title of the oldest known living land animal on the planet. If he could share tales, they’d span nearly two centuries of history. Imagine that!

Record age: 152 years

This ancient-looking fish, with its whisker-like barbels, looking like a tiny underwater submarine, prowls the lakes of North America. It can reach an impressive length of up to 7 feet and weigh around 200 pounds. These slow-living creatures don’t rush into adulthood—they start breeding only around age 20—and then take their time cruising through life at a leisurely pace. Believe it or not, one legendary catch in Wisconsin was estimated to be over 150 years old!

Record age: over 90 years

This chunky, night-loving parrot from New Zealand is a true oddball—it can’t fly, snores like a grumpy grandpa, and smells like fresh flowers. Despite its quirks, this bird boasts an impressively long lifespan. Sadly, it teeters on the edge of extinction. The oldest known kakapo, affectionately named Richard Henry, lived 90 years, earning him the title of the charmingly eccentric elder statesman of the avian world.

Record age: 37 years

This tiny, kooky rodent—barely 3 inches long and just over an ounce in weight—could’ve been cast straight from a sci-fi apocalypse flick. Dwelling in vast underground colonies across Africa, it’s practically invincible to cancer, pain, and the usual effects of aging. Scientists are fascinated by this little marvel, even if it’s not winning beauty contests anytime soon. Its superpowers make it a star in longevity research!

Record age: estimated 100+ years

Lobsters have a totally different rulebook than us when it comes to aging. They don’t really grow old; they just keep getting bigger and bigger. Some giant lobsters weigh over 40 pounds and stretch beyond 3 feet long. Their biggest threats? Not old age, but predators or the risky process of shedding their shells. In theory, they could live forever if left alone—but let’s be honest, not many get to enjoy a peaceful, lobster-sized retirement!