CHUPA Chups lollipops are a common sight in corner shops all over the country.
But despite their popularity, it turns out that many people have been mispronouncing the name all along.
Chupa Chup lollipops are sold in 150 countries around the globe – but do you know how to pronounce them?[/caption]
When reading the name, most people instinctively say “Chuh-pa Chups”, but according to linguists, this is incorrect.
Thankfully, the experts at online Spanish classes provider Preply have stepped in to clear things up once and for all.
It turns out that the correct pronunciation is “Choo-pa Choops”.
It may feel unnatural at first, but once you break it down, it makes perfect sense.
Chupa Chups is a Spanish brand, which means its pronunciation follows Spanish phonetics rather than English ones.
The name derives from the Spanish verb “chupar”, which means “to suck”, in reference to how the sweet is eaten.
In Spanish, “chupar” is pronounced “choo-par”, and the brand name stemmed from its shortened form, “chupa”.
As for “Chups”, while it doesn’t directly translate to anything, it follows the same phonetic pattern as “chupa,” meaning it’s also pronounced with the “choo” sound, hence, “Choo-pa Choops”.
And it’s not the only Spanish food name that people have been mispronouncing
When it comes to paella, many people say “Pae-ell-ah”, but the correct pronunciation is “Pae-ay-ah”, with the “ll” sounding like a soft “y” rather than an English “l.”
And for Churros, the proper pronunciation includes a rolled “r”, making it “Chur-rros” rather than the flat English version “choo-ros.”
Spain’s famous cured ham Jamón should be pronounced “Ha-mon”, with a soft “h” sound rather than a hard “J.”
So, next time you reach for a Chupa Chups lollypop, impress your friends by saying it the right way.
It turns out that the correct pronunciation is ‘Choo-pa Choops’[/caption]
The Spanish lollipop brand was founded in 1958 by Catalonian businessman Enric Bernat, but is now owned by the Italian-Dutch multinational company Perfetti Van Melle.
He created the product after envisioning a new type of treat – one that would prevent sticky hands by putting a sweet on a stick.
Inspired by this idea, he created a round, hard candy on a wooden stick, which later evolved into the modern plastic stick.
In the early days of the company, the famed surrealist painter Salvador Dali was approached to come up with a new logo for the sweets.
The bright and colourful Chupa Chups logo was designed by Salvador Dali[/caption]
The Catalan artist had found worldwide fame as a leading figure in the artistic movement and is best known for his melting clocks in The Persistence of Memory.
In 1969 though he came up with the new design which quickly became recognisable for the brand.
BBC’s programme Modern Masters: Dali said: “The result became as instantly recognisable as his melting clocks.
“Dali incorporated the Chupa Chups name into a brightly coloured daisy shape.
“Always keenly aware of branding, Dali suggested that the logo be placed on top of the lolly instead of the side so that it could always be seen intact.”
Currently, Chupa Chups sells its lollipops in more than 150 countries and offers over 100 flavours.
Facts about Chupa Chups
- Spanish Origins – Chupa Chups was created in 1958 by Spanish entrepreneur Enric Bernat.
- The Name Means “Suck” – “Chupa” comes from the Spanish verb chupar, meaning “to suck.”
- First Lollipop in Space – Astronauts took Chupa Chups on a mission to the International Space Station in 1995.
- Over 100 Flavours – Chupa Chups comes in a huge variety of flavours, including cola, strawberry, and even exotic options like mango and lychee.
