How Many Licks Does It Take?
TOOTSIE ROLL POPS 1
How Many Licks Does it Take?
Niklas Andersson
Saginaw Valley State University of Michigan
TOOTSIE ROLL POPS 2
Abstract
Tootsie Roll Pops are known for the catch phrase, “How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop?” The phrase was first introduced in an animated commercial in 1970. The whole point of the commercial is that no one will ever know how many licks it takes because you can’t resist the great temptation of biting into the candy shell. To test this hypothesis correctly, you must stop counting the moment that the center becomes exposed. This study suggests that the flavor of the Tootsie Pop will be a participating factor. Are there any other factors at play? Will the world ever know how many licks it truly takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop?
TOOTSIE ROLL POPS 3
Introduction
When the first Tootsie Roll Pop commercial debuted, many men, women, and children have asked, “How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop?” A Tootsie Roll Pop is similar to a sucker, but the difference is the middle. Inside, you will find a chewy chocolate center. There have been other experiments to determine the number of licks, but every other experiment seems to have different results. I have yet to find a credible study where every factor is at play. I will not be conducting this experiment with other participants, but with yours truly. My hypothesis for this experiment is that the number of licks is not different from each individual flavor.
Method
For this experiment I will be using the five popular flavors, chocolate, cherry, orange, grape, and raspberry. The sole purpose of this research is to systematically determine how many licks it takes to get to the center. The lick will be defined as sticking out the tongue and running the Tootsie Roll Pop
How Many Licks Does it Take?
Niklas Andersson
Saginaw Valley State University of Michigan
TOOTSIE ROLL POPS 2
Abstract
Tootsie Roll Pops are known for the catch phrase, “How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop?” The phrase was first introduced in an animated commercial in 1970. The whole point of the commercial is that no one will ever know how many licks it takes because you can’t resist the great temptation of biting into the candy shell. To test this hypothesis correctly, you must stop counting the moment that the center becomes exposed. This study suggests that the flavor of the Tootsie Pop will be a participating factor. Are there any other factors at play? Will the world ever know how many licks it truly takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop?
TOOTSIE ROLL POPS 3
Introduction
When the first Tootsie Roll Pop commercial debuted, many men, women, and children have asked, “How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop?” A Tootsie Roll Pop is similar to a sucker, but the difference is the middle. Inside, you will find a chewy chocolate center. There have been other experiments to determine the number of licks, but every other experiment seems to have different results. I have yet to find a credible study where every factor is at play. I will not be conducting this experiment with other participants, but with yours truly. My hypothesis for this experiment is that the number of licks is not different from each individual flavor.
Method
For this experiment I will be using the five popular flavors, chocolate, cherry, orange, grape, and raspberry. The sole purpose of this research is to systematically determine how many licks it takes to get to the center. The lick will be defined as sticking out the tongue and running the Tootsie Roll Pop
Cited: Tootsie. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.tootsie.com/