When I first began WC in the late 70's, everybody talked about "the 108" movements... at least in the Yip Man lineage (which was the only branch well known outside of China in those days). Apparently there was some "fudging" or "creative counting" to reach the "magical" number of 108, which has special significance in Buddhism and Chinese culture.
Then Yip Chun and Leung Ting came out with the 116 movement version, referencing the older, longer forms of approximately 140 movements. At least that's the short version of the story.
Interestingly the old gold-cover paperback Yip Chun book shows the movements slightly differently than LT's newer book on the 116 movements. And both are slightly different from what LT actually taught. The version I learned from him has a couple less repetitions of one movement, and another, "hidden" kicking technique, making the total is exactly 116 movements, not the 117 as shown in the photo sequence of the books! LT always holds a little back. It's his nature.
Incidentally, Joy, I thought Augusting Fong originally taught the 108 movements. Did he always teach more?