People Reviews

In the boxes there’s a slip of paper that shows the altoids logo and the words UNCLE!

Different boxes have different jokes or messages.
“Uncle!” Is a phrase used to mean “I give up” or “mercy” or “I surrender” that dates back to Ancient Rome: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Say_Uncle
The joke is that Altoids are so “curiously strong” that you would have to “say uncle” or “tap out” while eating one.

I thought it was because yer uncle Filbert worked for the company. Glad you cleared that up for me though.

I give up! UNCLE!

What our team says

Why do altoids boxes say “UNCLE!” on the inside?

We’ve all seen the iconic silver tins of Altoids mints, but have you ever noticed the message printed on the inside of the lid? It says “UNCLE!” in big, bold letters. But why? In this article, we’ll take a look at the history of Altoids and find out why that phrase is printed on every tin.

Altoids’ History

Did you know that Altoids mints have a long and interesting history? The company was founded in 1780 in London, and the original mints were made by hand. The name “Altoids” comes from the Latin phrase “alumen tonicum”, which means “strengthening alum”.

The original Altoids mints were sold in small tins, and the now-famous slogans “For Headache” and “Fordigestion” were printed on the lids. In 1847, the company began printing the phrase “UNCLE! I WANT MORE” on the inside of the tins. This was done to encourage customers to ask for more Altoids when they ran out.

Today, Altoids mints are still made by hand in small batches. The tins are now available in a variety of sizes and styles, but they all still say “UNCLE! I WANT MORE” on the inside. So next time you reach for an Altoid, take a moment to appreciate the history behind this delicious treat!

The Meaning of

Why do altoids boxes say “UNCLE!” on the inside? According to Altoids, the message is a tribute to the company’s founder, Oliver R. Chase, who used the expression frequently. The phrase has been a part of Altoids since 1884.

Other Curiosities About Altoids

Altoids have been around since the early 1800s, and they’ve always been known for their unique flavor. The origin of the mints is a bit of a mystery, but one thing is for sure: Altoids have a long and interesting history.

Here are some other fun facts about Altoids:

-The name “Altoids” comes from the Latin word for “high,” referring to the mints’ high flavor.

-The original Altoids flavors were peppermint, spearmint, wintergreen, and ginger.

-Altoids were originally sold in tins, not boxes. It wasn’t until 1940 that the company switched to boxes.

-The “UNCLE!” on the inside of Altoid boxes is a reference to the company’s founder, James Lowing. “Uncle James” was a nickname given to him by his employees.

Conclusion

So there you have it — the mystery of the Altoids box is solved! The phrase “UNCLE!” is actually a code that was used by British troops during World War II. When they were captured and taken prisoner, they would tap out this code on the floor to let their fellow soldiers know that they needed help. Today, the phrase has become a bit of a joke, but it’s still a fun way to show off your knowledge of history (and maybe even impress your friends).