What is a Twix, anyway?

Is the Snickers bar named after an animal? 12 candy names explained

Image: Denny Müller

If you have never seen a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup or an Almond Joy but only read the name, chances are that you would be able to form an idea of the product. But this is not always the case with candies and candy bars. Many of these delicious treats have names that do not seem to have any logical connection with their contents. But they do have it. Take a look at the following 12 famous examples. Did you know about any of these?

Image: Shyam Mishra

The Snickers bar, introduced by the Mars, Inc. company in 1930, was named after the Mars family's favorite horse. Snickers lived on their farm and was dearly loved.

Sadly, the horse passed away shortly before the candy bar's release, so naming the bar after him served as a tribute to their cherished companion.

Image: Justin

The name Kit Kat traces back to the 18th-century Kit-Cat Club in London, which itself was named after Christopher Catling, a pastry chef nicknamed "Kit Cat."

Rowntree's, the company that launched the bar in the 1930s, chose the name to give it a touch of history and sophistication.

Image: Irfan Zaini

M&M’s stands for Mars and Murrie, the last names of the candy’s creators. Forrest Mars of the Mars Company teamed up with Bruce Murrie, son of Hershey’s president, and the delicious, colorful candies were born.

Image: Alexander Schimmeck

Starburst got its name to reflect the candy’s bold, fruity flavors, like a burst of flavor in every bite.

Originally launched in the UK in 1960 as Opal Fruits, it was renamed Starburst for the U.S. release in 1967, likely to create a more dynamic, space-age image during the height of the space race.

Image: Steffen Rehfuß

Sour Patch Kids were originally called Mars Men when they debuted in the 1970s, playing off the era’s fascination with space.

When introduced in the U.S. in 1985, the name changed to Sour Patch Kids to tap into the Cabbage Patch Kids craze. The new name also highlights the candy’s signature sour-then-sweet taste.

Image: Cemrecan Yurtman

The 3 Musketeers bar got its name in 1932 from its original trio of flavors: chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla. Each bar came in three separate pieces, echoing the "three" theme.

The name also nodded to the popular novel The Three Musketeers. During World War II, rising costs of sugar and fruit led to the discontinuation of strawberry and vanilla, leaving only chocolate—the version we still enjoy today.

Image: Alan Pope

The Milky Way bar was named after a popular malted milk drink from the 1920s, not the galaxy.

The name was meant to suggest a creamy, rich flavor, echoing the appeal of the drink that inspired it.

Image: Jonathan J. Castellon

Skittles were named after the old European game of skittles, similar to bowling. The candy's round shape was the connection with the original game.

First produced in the UK in 1974 by a British distributor for Mars, Inc., the name was likely chosen to convey fun and flavor variety.

Image: Erik Mclean

The PayDay bar got its name because it was first made on—yes, you guessed it—a payday at the Hollywood Candy Company. The timing inspired the name, which stuck.

Introduced in 1932 during the Great Depression, it was marketed as an affordable, energy-packed snack. With its combination of peanuts and caramel, it offered real substance, which can be a metaphor for a little "payday" in candy form.

Image: Louis Hansel

Anyone would be forgiven for thinking that the Baby Ruth bar was named after baseball legend Babe Ruth—but that’s not the case. The candy does indeed sound like it could honor the sports icon, but the Curtiss Candy Company claimed otherwise.

They stated that it was named after Ruth Cleveland, the daughter of President Grover Cleveland.

Image: NATasha Nguyen

The 100 Grand bar was originally called the $100,000 Bar, inspired by quiz shows with big prizes, such as The $64,000 Question.

In the mid-1980s, Nestlé renamed it 100 Grand, likely to ease trademark issues and generate a greater appeal by simplifying the name.

Image: Petr Magera

The name Twix is a blend of the words "twin" and "sticks," referring to its two chocolate-covered biscuit bars. It was first released in the UK in 1967 under the name Raider.

When introduced in the U.S. in 1979, the bar was renamed Twix. The twin-bar design later inspired the playful "Left vs. Right Twix" advertising campaign.

Deathbed statements

Beyond the grave: Take a look at the last words of 12 famous people

Image: Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Throughout history, hundreds of historical figures have left their mark on the world through their marvelous achievements. When their lives came to an end, their last words were often a reflection of their lives and ideals. From George Washington and Mark Twain to Frank Sinatra and Leonardo Da Vinci, in this article, we will reveal 12 final words of memorable personalities.

Image: The New York Public Library

After serving two terms as the United State's first president, George Washington retired to his Virginia plantation. In mid-December 1799, he developed a cold and a severe sore throat. Despite doctors' efforts to cure him, the end was imminent.

His long-time secretary, Tobias Lear, was at his side during his last days and documented all the events that transpired, including the former president's last words. According to his account, shortly before he took his last breath George Washington said "Tis well" —an old-fashioned way of saying "everything is okay."

Image: Signal Corps Archive from United States, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Noir icon of perpetual elegance and rebellious charisma, Humphrey Bogart is an undisputed legend in cinema history. A Hollywood Golden Age star, Bogart is still remembered today for his scar on his upper lip, his everlasting cigarette, and his perfect portrayal of gangsters and detectives.

At the age of 57 Bogart was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, for which he was hospitalized for several months. According to lore, the legendary star's last words were "I should never have switched from scotch to martinis." However, his wife Lauren Bacall confirmed that the last thing he actually said was "Goodbye Kid. Hurry back," before she left his bedside to get their children.

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As one of the greatest American writers of all time, Mark Twain is usually credited with all sorts of great quotes that he often didn't say. For that reason, there are different versions of what his last words were before he died in 1910 at the age of 74.

The most plausible theory can be found in an article published one day after his death. According to this chronicle, Samuel Langhorne Clemens' last words were not spoken aloud but written. The famous humorist and essayist reportedly wrote to his daughter Clara, who accompanied him on his bedside, "Give me my glasses."

Image: MGM, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Joan Crawford, the Oscar winner for Mildred Pierce and one of the greatest stars of Hollywood's golden age, died in 1977 of a heart attack.

The actress, who had a complicated personality, was true to her nature until her last breath. She was so ill that her doctor felt it wasn’t worth taking her to the hospital. One of her nurses began to pray aloud in desperation. Losing her patience, Crawford snapped for the last time and said, "Damn it... Don't you dare ask God to help me."

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The year 2024 marked the 700th anniversary of the death of the man who better described remote lands. Marco Polo was a merchant who spent more than 20 years of his life traveling through the Orient and wrote about his adventures in a book that became a bestseller when the printing press wasn’t even invented.

Marco Polo was, and still is, a legend. When, on his deathbed, his wife and friends begged the brave explorer to confess if what he had told in the book was true, he barely whispered: "I have not told the half of what I saw and did."

Image: MGM, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Julius Henry Marx, better known as Groucho Marx, is considered one of the most influential comedians of all time. The man with the bushy black mustache was one of the Marx Brothers. Together they made 13 films, including the classic Duck Soup. After a long and prominent career, Groucho passed away in Los Angeles in 1977 at the age of 86.

His brilliant one-liners are still remembered and replayed to this day, so it is not surprising that not one but several final words are attributed to him. A few close friends have suggested that his last line was "This is no way to live!", while most suggest that his last words were in fact dedicated to his wife: "Die, my dear? Why, that's the last thing I'll do!"

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Voltaire, the French writer, philosopher, historian, and lawyer, one of the major figures of the Enlightenment, died in 1778 at the age of 83. Different accounts of his deathbed make it impossible to determine exactly what his last days were like.

One of these stories, however, is consistent with his ideas about God and his well-known criticism of the Church. According to this version, when the priest asked him if he wanted to renounce Satan before he died, Voltaire replied, "This is no time to make new enemies."

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L. Frank Baum was a prolific American author. He wrote 55 novels, 82 short stories, and more than 200 poems. However, his most memorable work is his series of children's fantasy books The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

On May 5, 1919, Baum suffered a heart attack. He died the next day, shortly before his 63rd birthday. Disturbed by the imminence of death, he whispered to his wife: "Now we can cross the Shifting Sands," a clear reference to the Land of Oz.

Image: National Archaeological Museum of Athens, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Augustus, the first Roman emperor, is often attributed with the phrase: "Behold, I found Rome of clay, and leave her to you of marble," alluding to the great infrastructural works carried out during his prosperous 40 years of rule.

However, according to other historical accounts, his last words were addressed to the friends who stayed with him on his deathbed: "Have I played the part well? Then applaud, as I exit."

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"Darling, you've gone through worse and you can beat this too. You have to fight," implored Barbara Marx, Frank Sinatra's fourth wife, to her beloved on his deathbed. "I'm losing," The Voice whispered through teary eyes.

Barbara recounted the last hours of the singer of such hits as My Way and New York, New York in her memoir Lady Blue Eyes: My Life With Frank. Frank Sinatra, one of the most popular entertainers of the mid-20th century, pronounced his last words in 1998 at the age of 82.

Image: Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Despite being one of the most famous artists of the Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci was very hard on himself. All his life he challenged his own limits, evident in his paintings and sculptures as well as in his inventions, some of which were truly revolutionary.

Even after a lifetime of success, he wasn’t quite satisfied. When he suffered a stroke at the age of 67, he sent for a priest to receive the Holy Sacrament and, according to historians, his greatest regret was that he hadn’t achieved excellence with his work. In that sense, it is said that his last words were: "I have offended God and mankind because my work did not reach the quality it should have."

Image: National Museum of Health and Medicine, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Yankee Clipper was one of the greatest baseball players of all time but he is also known for having been married to the iconic American actress Marilyn Monroe. Joe and Marilyn were together for less than three years. In 1955 the actress left him for American playwright Arthur Miller.

DiMaggio was devastated. He never married again, and never got over his one true love. His last words before he died in 1999 at the age of 84 were: "I'll finally get to see Marilyn."