Why Is It Called a 99

Why Is It Called a 99を徹底追究! 読者が気になる トピックの裏側を凝縮して配信します。

Let’s talk about the Flake itself, because it’s not just any chocolate. Cadbury invented the Flake in 1920, and it was this weird, crumbly, almost brittle bar that didn’t melt in your hand — perfect for ice cream. The marketing team at Cadbury noticed that when you stuck it in a cone, it looked like the number “99” if you squinted really hard. (Okay, I’m paraphrasing, but they actually claimed the shape of the Flake resembled the numerals.) It’s a bit of a stretch, sure, but in the world of branding, if you can get people to connect your product to a number, you’re golden.

Here’s where it gets ironic: today, a 99 always means a Flake. But back in the 1930s, you could just ask for a “99” and get a plain cone with a wafer, because the name caught on before the chocolate did. It’s like ordering a latte and being surprised you don’t get a plain coffee — the magic is in the extra. (Ever tried a 99 without a Flake? That’s just vanilla ice cream with a wafer. It’s called a plain cone, my friend. Don’t let anyone upsell you.)

Why is a 99 ice cream called a 99? Origin of the iconic treat's name

The Real Reason? It’s Kinda Romantic

After all this digging, the truth is that nobody knows for sure. That’s the beauty of it. The name “99” is like a little urban legend that changes depending on who you ask. But the most believable origin — the one that doesn’t involve kings or lira — goes back to that shop in Edinburgh, where the owners literally stamped “99” on their cones as a house number. People came in, said “I want one of those 99 cones,” and the name stuck. The Cadbury Flake was just a delicious bonus.

So the next time you’re sweating on a beach, holding a drippy 99 with chocolate crumbs on your shirt, remember: you’re eating a piece of Scottish-Italian history with a side of mystery. And honestly? That makes it taste even better. Especially when the Flake falls off, and you have to pick it up off the sand and eat it anyway. (We’ve all done it. No shame.)

Now, go buy a cone, call it a 99, and impress the vendor with your knowledge. Or just enjoy the ice cream. Either way, you’re part of a tradition that’s secret, silly, and sweet — just like the number itself.