Snickers shuts down 'dick vein' rumours, brands get saucy on Twitter

Snickers recently shut down rumours that it is replacing its iconic "dick-veined" chocolate bars with a smooth-coated bar instead. In a tweet, Snickers said: "Good news, contrary to what's trending on Twitter... THE VEINS REMAIN!".

This was in response to online chatter which began after a netizen tweeted a picture on 17 April with a news headline that screamed "Snickers is officially caving and removing the world-renowned dick vein from the candy bar". Several netizens then expressed their shock and outrage at the supposed loss of the "dick vein" on the chocolate bar. Snickers' tweet has since garnered 201k likes and 26.8k retweets at the time of writing. This prompted some brands to respond and of course, Snickers just had to have fun with its replies.

TWIX said: "Phew...close call" to which Snickers suggestively responded: "Waiting for the day you show yours off." Grindr, a social networking app for gay, bi, trans, and queer people, expressed its disbelief in three letters, "wtf", while amused netizens showed their shock using memes.

https://twitter.com/SNICKERS/status/1516519685877116929
https://twitter.com/twix/status/1516907853516361730
https://twitter.com/Insomniaomnia/status/1516593330875944965
https://twitter.com/ChunLiCherri/status/1516720489649119235
https://twitter.com/ToonlyGoofy/status/1516910674030567424
https://twitter.com/NyxMoonReads/status/1516885737546858497

Meanwhile, M&M's commented on the main tweet saying that it should have stayed in the drafts while fleshlight said: "Okay, I like it, Picasso". Starburst also joined in on the fun, adding: "This seems a little juicy for Twitter", while Pizza Hut "ran" to the replies section. Seizing the opportunity to garner some love for Skittles, the brand said: "Don't worry. We don't have Skittles veins. 100% smooth."

Snickers appeared to be on a roll, responding to the brands with: "The typical crowd: Manscaped...fleshlight...Grindr...Pizza Hut." The banter between Snickers and the other brands caught the attention of netizens too, who were tickled. One user asked: "Can you smack my face with it?" and the chocolate brand replied: "Only if you take me on a date first." Another user attempted to come up with a witty tagline: "You're not you when you're horny." and Snickers said: "I make the tag lines not you."

https://twitter.com/issawooo/status/1516860841353629697

https://twitter.com/SNICKERS/status/1516861328224395266
https://twitter.com/SNICKERS/status/1516844440307986432
https://twitter.com/Kief_Gringo/status/1516874052715130886
https://twitter.com/toosoftforyou/status/1516930863715467266

As for the origins of the rumour, Snopes.com which specialises in fact-checking rumours said that the original picture uploaded of the smooth Snickers bar is genuine, and is likely due to a manufacturing error or some other cause. It added that the origins of the Snickers rumour began in January 2022. At that time, online speculation had begun that Mars Wrigley, Snickers' parent company, had opted to go for a more public-friendly version of Snickers’ “dick vein” chocolate, which has been the brunt of many jokes and memes for some years now. According to Snopes.com, there had been additional speculation online that Snickers opted to change its chocolate bar design due to the purported “X-rated imagery" and to be a more "woke brand." 

https://twitter.com/snopes/status/1516848032033161221

While rumours have since been ratified, the speculation and buzz around Snickers followed Mars’ decision to rejig its M&M characters earlier this year, where the anthropomorphised characters had been reanimated to take on a more inclusive look in line with modern times, with "more nuanced personalities to underscore the importance of self-expression and power of community,” said the brand in a previous press statement.

This comes with wider goals for the company to channel more diversity and inclusivity in its brands. Studies by M&M have shown people’s desire to belong is as strong as their desire to be loved and that desire is common for all people irrespective of culture, race, ethnicity, geography, or location.

Photo courtesy: 123RF

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