People are only just discovering what the M&M initials actually stand for

Some confectionery brands have been around longer than most of us have been alive which ultimately results in questions which your local fountain of knowledge doesn’t have the answer to.

One question that has seemingly stumped a lot social media users is what does M&M actually stand for?

Just like a lot of chocolate treats, the first memories of having them will probably take you on a trip down memory lane to cinema visits or childhood birthday parties.

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But unless you were a truly inquisitive child, you probably weren’t asking what the letters actually stood for.

Even as an adult, while sitting there munching your way through the entire share bag - because when do they ever really get shared? - did you ever stop to think what the two Ms in M&M's could actually mean?

Multiple Reddit users came to the realization that not only did they not have the answer but never stopped to even question the story behind the iconic M&M’s name.

The chocolate may have first been invented in 1941, but many of its consumers still don't know where its name comes from.

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The first initial of the popular chocolate brand stands for 'Mars' and the second, 'Murrie'.

Mars is for Forrest E. Mars Sr, and Murrie for Bruce Murrie, with Mars and Murrie being the two founders of the US chocolate brand.

However, after the war ended in 1945, and rationing came to a halt three years later, Mars bought out Murrie's shares and so the company became solely owned by Mars again.

Fans of the chocolate have taken to Reddit in surprise at learning what the initials stand for.

One commented: "Knowing that M&M's where created for soldiers in WW2, I assumed M&M stood for Military Munchies. When you assume..."

Another wrote: "I legitimately felt good learning that...thank you."

A third said: "I always thought it just stood for 'MMMMMM!'"

However, a final questioned: "Yea but how do you know which piece of candy stands for 'Mars' and which one stands for 'Murrie'?"

As well as introducing the crispy and smooth chocolatey goodness that is M&M's to the world, Forrest E. Mars Sr is also the businessman behind some of the best of the chocolates you find in a Celebration box.

Under his Mars empire, he is responsible for the Milky Way, the Mars bar, and countless others.

And if you have more of a savoury than sweet tooth, you can also thank Mars for launching Uncle Ben's rice.

Learn something new every day eh?