People are just now realizing how digestive biscuits got their name… and they’re really not impressed
- Scottish comedian Gary Meikle shared a video on TikTok explaining the origin
- Many social media users said they feel “violated” after discovering this fact
Digest is a British staple and tastes best when dipped into a hot brew – but have you ever wondered where they got their name from?
Scottish comedian Gary Meikle shared a video on TikTok explaining the origins of one of the country’s favorite snacks.
And while people are only just realizing how these chocolate-covered treats got their name, they’re far from impressed.
In fact, many have said they’ll never look at a digestif the same again.
Scottish comedian Gary Meikle shared a video on TikTok explaining the exact origins of one of Britain’s favorite biscuits
Usually, digestive biscuits are associated with McVities, although they did not develop their popular recipe for them until 1892. The very first digestifs were developed in 1839.
In 2021, the comedian shared a video as part of a TikTok challenge, in which users shared things that are considered “completely normal” in their country, but considered “weird” elsewhere.
He explained that his American girlfriend couldn’t understand why Britain’s beloved biscuits were called Digestives, and after googling the answer she was in shock.
He held up a packet and said, ‘In Scotland it’s normal to eat biscuits called digestives – I’ve never thought of the name.
“But my American friend just told me that’s not normal and she demanded to read the ingredients.”
Mr Meikle continued: ‘It appears that two Scottish doctors developed these in 1839 to aid the digestive system, as they contain sodium bicarbonate, which is a laxative.
“So, essentially we ate cookies that help us poop.
“I feel violated. Why didn’t we learn this in school during home economics? For example, am I the only Scotsman who didn’t know this was a cake?’
Usually, digestive biscuits are associated with McVities, although they did not develop their popular recipe for it until 1892.
The very first digestifs were developed in 1839.
Digest is a British staple and tastes best when dipped in a warm brew. And people are only now realizing how these chocolate-covered treats got their name (File Image)
Gary Meikle’s video on TikTok was shared in 2021 as part of a TikTok challenge, where users shared things that are considered “completely normal” in their country but considered “weird” elsewhere
The term digestive derives from the belief that they had antacid properties around the time the cookie was first introduced due to the use of sodium bicarbonate as an ingredient.
Since the video was posted, the video has garnered over 1.5 million likes and 36,000 comments.
Many TikTok users were stunned by the fact and commented below the post with their surprise.
One person posted under the video, “I’m in England and I had no idea….I feel violated too.”
And another said, “I’ll never look at a digestif the same again,” as Mr. Meikle replied, “I won’t buy it either, it won’t stop us from eating a whole pack in one sitting.”
While a third wrote: “Thou, I like digestifs, I didn’t know that.”
And a fourth TikTok user said, “WHAT! They’ve never sent me to the toilet and I eat them by the pack.’
But one user said they already knew this fact and wrote, “I’m just crying!! it’s in the name! digestion [sic] for digestion.’