Where "Tim Tam" Comes From
Arnott's executive Ian Norris designed the biscuit after a 1958 trip to Britain, where he tried a Penguin biscuit and decided he could make a better one. It took six years of development before Tim Tams launched on 10 September 1964.
The name has nothing to do with the biscuit itself: another Arnott's figure, Ross Arnott, had attended the 1958 Kentucky Derby and thought the winning horse's name, Tim Tam, was perfect for the new biscuit line.
Source:
"Don't eat the whole packet of Tim Tams in one sitting."
How Aussies Actually Use It
Tim Tams are a genuine national icon — found in almost every Australian pantry, and a classic gift to send overseas as "authentic Aussie food."
The "Tim Tam Slam" is the famous ritual: biting off two opposite corners, then using the biscuit as a straw to suck hot tea or coffee through it before it collapses.
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