People are only just realising how digestive biscuits got their name… and they aren’t impressed

Digestives are a British staple and taste the best when dunked into a warm 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 nation’s favourite nibbles.

And while people are only just realising how these chocolate-coated goodies got their name, they’ve been left far from impressed.

In fact, many have said that they will ‘never look at a digestive the same again.’

Scottish comedian Gary Meikle shared a video on TikTok explaining the exact origins of one of Britain’s faovurite biscuits

Most commonly digestive biscuits are associated with McVities, although they didn’t develop their popular recipe for them until 1892. The first-ever digestives were developed in 1839

Back in 2021, the comedian shared a video as part of a TikTok challenge, where users shared things that are considered ‘totally normal’ in their country – but seen as ‘weird’ elsewhere. 

He explained that his American girlfriend did not understand why Britain’s beloved biscuits were called Digestives, and after googling the answer, was left in shock.

Holding up a packet, he said: ‘In Scotland, it’s normal to eat biscuits called digestives – I’ve never even thought about the name before. 

‘However, my American girlfriend has just informed me that that is not normal and she demanded to read the ingredients.’

Mr Meikle continued: ‘So it turns out in 1839 two Scottish doctors developed these to help with the aid of the digestive system because they’ve got sodium bicarbonate in them, which is a laxative.

‘So, essentially we have been eating biscuits that help make us s**t.

‘I feel violated. Why were we not taught this back in school during home economics? Like, am I the only Scottish person that didn’t know this was a s**t biscuit?’

Most commonly digestive biscuits are associated with McVities, although they didn’t develop their popular recipe for them until 1892. 

The first-ever digestives were developed in 1839. 

Digestives are a British staple and taste the best when dunked into a warm brew. And people are only just realising how these chocolate coated goodies 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 ‘totally normal’ in their country – but seen as ‘weird’ elsewhere

The term digestive is derived from the belief that they had antacid properties around the time the biscuit was first introduced due to the use of sodium bicarbonate as an ingredient. 

Since being posted, the video has racked up over 1.5million likes and 36,000 comments.

Many TikTok users were left in awe at the fact and commented below the post sharing their surprise.

One person put below the video: ‘I’m in England and I had no idea…. I feel violated too.’

And another said: ‘I will never look at a digestive the same again,’ as Mr Meikle replied: ‘Nor will I buy it’ll not stop us eating a full packet in one sitting will it.’

While a third wrote: ‘Ye I love digestives I didn’t know that.’

And a fourth TikTok user put: ‘WHAT! They’ve never made me go to the toilet and I eat them by the packet.’

But one user said that they already knew this fact, writing: ‘Im just crying!! it says it on the name! digestivs [sic] for digestion.’