Dictionary Definition
popsicle n : ice cream or water ice on a small
wooden stick; "in England a popsicle is called an ice lolly" [syn:
ice
lolly, lolly, lollipop]
User Contributed Dictionary
English
Etymology
Epsicle ice pop, from the surname of Frank Epperson, its inventor, + icicle; the inventor's children renamed it popsicle.Proper noun
Popsicle® (plural Popsicles)- The trade name of a type of ice lolly.
References
- Popsicle - The History of the Popsicle, Mary Bellis
Extensive Definition
Popsicle is the most popular brand name in the
U.S. and
Canada for a
brand of ice
pop. William Cesal Thomas Moreland is a trademark owned by
Unilever,
although it has entered
the general vernacular in North America. It was founded in
Michigan.
History
Frozen juice bars have existed since the 20th century, but the Popsicle was the first form of the product to be mass marketed.Today it is estimated that three million
Popsicles are sold annually. There are more than thirty different
flavors.
- 1905, 11 year old Frank Epperson left a mixture of powdered soda and water out on his porch, which contained a stir stick. That night, temperatures in San Francisco reached record low temperature. When he woke the next morning, he discovered that it had frozen to the stir stick, creating a fruit flavored ice treat, which he named the epsicle. He then waited 18 years before releasing it to the public.
- 1922, the ice-lollipop was introduced to the public for the first time at an Alameda amusement park, Neptune Beach
- 1924, Frank Epperson applied for a patent for "frozen confectionery" called the Epsicle ice pop, which he re-named the Popsicle, allegedly at the instigation of his children. It was originally available in seven flavors and marketed as a "frozen drink on a stick."
- 1925, Epperson sold the Popsicle to the Joe Lowe Company of New York. Good Humor, a subsidiary of Unilever, now owns the rights.
- 1940s, Woody Gelman created Popsicle Pete as its mascot. He appeared in print and television advertisements, and activity books until 1995.
- In June 2006, Popsicles with "Natural Flavors and Colors" were introduced, replacing the original versions. Company spokespeople cited customer requests for "an option without some colors and flavors to which some had allergies" as the reason for the change.
Traditional Advertising
- The wrapper on traditional Popsicle brand ice bars described their bar as "a quiescently frozen confection."
Advertising and Things
The Popsicle brand uses a common slogan that reads "If it's Popsicle, it's possible". This slogan is carried out through a lot of the cardboard advertisements that Popsicle gives to vendors. The alternative rock band Fuzzicle referenced the Popsicle slogan by rewording it to "If it's Fuzzicle, it's feasible" which carries the same meaning.Related Snacks
Creamsicle is a brand name, also owned by
Unilever, for a frozen dessert which resembles an ice pop, with a
center composed of vanilla ice cream, and an exterior layer of
flavored ice frozen around a wooden or plastic stick. Popular
flavors for Creamsicles include orange,
blue
raspberry, and raspberry.
American National Creamsicle Day is celebrated on
14
August annually.
Fun With Popsicles
There are very elaborate crafts constructed with popsicle sticks http://familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts/season/feature/famf97project/famf97project05.html. One of the most simple is the 'popsicle stick bomb' constructed from 5 popsicle sticks, as shown in the figure. If it is thrown on the floor, it 'explodes' with a loud snap.Popsicle stick bridges are a classic engineering education
project. Competitions are arranged for children as young as grade
3http://www.scarborough.peo.on.ca/events/20060304-bbc/.
The Popsicle brand also has riddles printed on
them, the answer to which is hidden by the treat. The riddles are
quite amusing to quiz each other and are a good addition,
especially in when sharing in small groups.
Popsicles In the Media
- Popsicles play a key part in the plot of the movie American Graffiti. In one scene, Richard Dreyfuss' character discovers the identity of the mysterious DJ Wolfman Jack because of them, and the revelation gives him the courage to leave his hometown gang and go to college.
- One notorious episode of The Gong Show featured an act by two teenage girls whose entire performance consisted of sitting cross-legged in the center of the stage and licking Popsicles in a manner simulating fellatio. Some insiders have claimed that it was this act that led to The Gong Show being canceled.
- On the season 18 Simpsons episode Ice Cream of Margie (With The Light Blue Hair), Marge uses Popsicle sticks (from Homer's stint as an ice cream truck driver) to create statues of different townspeople (which, in the future, becomes the last known piece of art created before Western civilization collapsed when sentient iPods began enslaving humanity).
References
See also
- Mistakes That Worked
popsicle in French: Popsicle
popsicle in Italian: Popsicle
popsicle in Japanese:
アイスキャンディー