Everyone loves a 99 ice-cream from the ice-cream man on a sunny day. But why is it called a 99 er?

Answer 1

I always thought it was called that because that is how much it cost. they were always 99p when I bought them.

Answer 2

Its to do with the cone makers, who sold them to the ice cream vans. they came up with a marketing campaign and the rest is history.

The origins of the name are uncertain. One claim is that the '99' was coined in Portobello, Scotland, in 1922, by the Arcari family, who owned a well known ice cream shop there. They sold ice-cream waffers with half a large 'Cadbury Flake' inserted in the top, and reputedly gave it the name simply because the shop was sited at 99 High Street. The idea spread locally, then further afield.

A company known as "Askey's" which supplied ice cream vans first established a cone called "99". As people ordered this, "99 with a flake" would have been shortened over the years to "99 flake.

By In 1930, Cadbury started producing a smaller version of the standard Flake bar especially for ice cream cones. These were marketed under the name 99 Flake and sold loose in boxes rather than individually wrapped like the traditional Flake.

Answer 3

The real reason for "99" Flake being so called has been lost in the mists of time, but this is an extract from an article which appeared in a Cadbury works paper many years ago.

At a recent Sales conference Mr Berry, a sales manager, told a story of how Flake became associated with ice cream and how "99" Flake came by its name.

"When I first came north in 1928 I found that some of the Italian soft ice cream makers in County Durham were trying ways of introducing other lines to increase their sales, which in those days were largely in the form of sandwich wafers. The possibilities were obvious if we could get a suitable line, both in shape and size and texture - and the most promising was Flake, which at that time only sold as a 2d line, and therefore had to be cut with a knife to reduce its size."

It proved very successful and its popularity quickly spread. After successive introductions of half penny and 1d Flake, both of which were sold with ice cream, the Sales Committee finally agreed to produce a special size to fit the sandwich and Mr Berry visited a number of Italian customers in the area. After this of course the cornet with the Flake placed temptingly in the top of the ice cream became very popular.

In the days of the monarchy in Italy the King has a specially chosen guard consisting of 99 men, and subsequently anything really special or first class was known as "99" - and that his how "99" Flake came by its name.

Answer 4

I've often wondered that. And I would like to know why a bubblegum at the bottom of ice-cream is called a screwball?

Answer 5

Because the flake in the ice-cream is 99mm long, or they were originally.

Answer 6

Iv never called it that, I just called it a cone, may be u the got the 1st digit upside down and you are thinking of something else you love that may include a cone

Answer 7

Because 66 was taken by the department of highways.

Answer 8

Because it was too embarassed to celebrate its 100th birthday

Answer 9

cos if it was called a 69er some people might take offence

Answer 10

i think it's coz they used to be 99p