penny candy

[ pen-ee kan-dee ]

noun

1. 1. small, loose candies purchased singly or in quantity for just a few cents:

      I remember how we would find pop bottles worth 5 cents and take them to the corner store for a bag of penny candy.

   2. a single piece or type of this candy:

      My favorite penny candy was a caramel.

      I can remember having 15 penny candies and feeling rich.

2. an insignificant thing, amount, cost, etc.:

   The test costs $350 or less, and in the medical world, that is mere penny candy.

   This government’s fiscal mismanagement makes the previous administration’s look like penny candy.

Word History and Origins

Origin of penny candy¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. like pen·ny can·dy, quickly and easily; thoughtlessly and indiscriminately, as if dealing with something cheap or insignificant:

   His latest movie is a perfunctory effort—just an hour long and meant to be consumed like penny candy.

   She flattered people and scattered promises like penny candy.

Example Sentences

You know I don't like you having too much penny candy, but I figured you probably missed home.

From Literature

As little kids, we'd hit his store up for Now, Laters and penny candy and to buy soap, Lotto tickets for grandma, and chicken boxes and mozzarella sticks for the dudes who hustled on the corner across the street from the carryout.

From Salon

At Bo Bo's Kitchen or Lee's, the cheap carryout spots on my block that also sold trash bags, penny candy and frozen cups — the clerks always used to ask, "With or without jelly?"

From Salon

He reminisced about playing shortstop with the Green Ridge Little League, buying penny candy at Simmey’s and celebrating Mass at St. Paul’s.

From Seattle Times

Fred shrugged and gestured with his head toward the store that sold gummies and penny candy.

From Literature