Tobler - One???

One of the most iconic chocolate bars out there, and arguably the most recognizable as well, is the Toblerone bar.

Toblerone has a distinctive triangular prism/pentahedron shape.  It also reminds a lot of people of mountains.

Any way you look at it, this is one delicious chocolate bar!!

But, did you know that we've been pronouncing it wrong all these years?  That's right, it's been mispronounced for generations, and will likely be mispronounced for many more.

The correct way to pronounce it is TOBLER-ONE (Tow-blurr-won).  I know, it's hard to believe, but it's true!

Here's the story behind the name.....

Back in Switzerland when this chocolate bar was created in 1908 by Theodor Tobler, there was only one way to make it, with milk chocolate, nougat, almonds and honey (main ingredients).  Most people loved it instantly, and the saying of the day was "this is the one and only chocolate for me,"  Thus Mr Tobler adopted the Tobler-One mentality and name (minus the dash of course).

It wasn't until a few years later that other variations were added to the line.  But the name also offered a unique way to distinguish between the different variations.  Toblerone was almonds, Toblertwo was peanuts, Toblerthree was hazelnut, and Toblerfour was oats (I know, very odd).

It was around this time as well, when some new trading laws came into effect for Switzerland.  These new variations would not be allowed to be exported due to these laws, but the original recipe was still good for export.  Thus American and Canadian chocolate lovers were introduced to the Toblerone bar, but only this one kind. The North American people hadn't known of the variations on the original recipe, and therefore didn't put any thought to pronouncing the "one" at the end of the name.

And so it goes today, as people mispronounce the Toblerone name on a daily basis.

But don't worry, the current owners on Toblerone, Mondelez Internationa Inc are not complaining about our mispronunciations, as records sales in the last few years have put any thought of a Toblerone educational campaign out of their heads.

I wonder what their next variation on the traditional recipe will be?

I think Tobler may have also invented making up stories as well.  Not sure, but the above story may be evidence of that.  Or not.  Or maybe. Or whatever you want to believe or not believe. Yeah.

And as usual, here's some video links to take you out....


Chocolate Scrabble

Settlers Of Catan Cupcakes

Ducky Boys - From The Wanderers (1979)

Laterz

Run For The Border!

As a Canadian, and more specifically, one that lives within an hour of the U.S. border, we tend to think things are less expensive in the States. And while in the past this may have been partially true (lower prices but a lesser valuation of the Canadian dollar meant things weren't always actually less expensive), it certainly has more truth today.

Today the Canadian dollar is trading above the U.S. dollar, so all of the lower prices across the border are definitely something to look at.

Now as a new father, I am more aware of the value of a buck these days. And I am learning how to stretch what we have.

That, along with the more recent changes to the dollar amounts we are allowed to bring back with us (duty-free), means that a run for the border, and subsequent shopping spree, is going to happen more frequently.
br> If we stay in the States for more than 48 hours, we can bring back $800.00 worth of merchanidise duty-free. And if my wife's perusing of online catalogues is any indication, we will be close to, or above that amount for sure.

Combine the shopping with some nice retaurants, and some entertainment (if time permits), and you've got yourself a short gettaway weekend worth the trip.


I'll leave you with a few things I've found on the internet recently that make me chuckle.



Laterz

Smallest In The World!

While surfing the other day, I came across some info about the smallest city hall in America.

That got me thinking what other things people have identified as the smallest of.

Well, here are a few of the world's smallest things, with the accompanying video, picture or link:

Smallest City hall
Maskell, Nebraska
120 square feet

Smallest Web Site
http://www.guimp.com

Smallest Country - Vatican City - 0.2 square miles



Smallest Cat
Mr Peebles, from central Illinois.

Smallest Museum
In Superior, Arizona, with only 134 square feet of space, this is is pretty small indeed. http://www.worldssmallestmuseum.com/

And as you head out, check out this video about some other small animals:

Laterz