Unwrapping the Kit Kat Name

by Laurnie Wilson

Around here, we get word of some pretty crazy candy names. You name it, we’ve probably heard of a candy with that name. But one candy that never seems too out of the ordinary is Kit Kat. After all, this chocolate and crispy wafer concoction has been a household name for generations. But have you ever wondered what really is behind the name? This week, we’re unwrapping the history behind the naming of this famed treat.

Kit Kat Confusion

It’s really nice when histories are clear and simple. These histories have all of the facts line up and are universally accepted. This kind of situation makes it easy for everyone to agree on what exactly has happened. Unfortunately, the history of the Kit Kat name is not this kind of history.

Two Kit Kat Tales

It would appear that, for all intents and purposes, there are two main stories behind the naming of the Kit Kat. The first one goes something like this: Way back in the 18^th century, the term Kit Kat originated in London. Apparently Kit Kat was a term for the mutton pies served at the political meetings in London’s Kit Kat Club.

The second story also revolves around pies. This time, however, credit goes back to the late 17^th century, when a literary club in London would meet at a pie shop owned by a man named Christopher Catling. The group was called the Kit Kat club as an abbreviation of Catling’s name.

Kit Kat Mystery

Ultimately, neither one provides a conclusive answer as to why a candy bar has the name Kit Kat. There just doesn’t seem to be any logical jump from meat pies to candies. Some speculate that it may have had something to do with the fact that candy was advertised as a nutritious meal in the 1920’s and 30’s. But again, it’s all speculation.

All we can say for sure is that, hundreds of years ago, the term Kit Kat definitely had something to do with pies. But as for how the term morphed into the chocolate treat we know and love? That, my friends, must be left to the imagination. 

Sources:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kit_Kat
• https://www.nestle.com/investors/brand-focus/kitkat
• https://spoonuniversity.com/2014/06/kitkat-good-food/