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.