saltwater taffy
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of saltwater taffy
An Americanism dating back to 1890–95
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The term describes how the crust stretches and thins in the middle, similar to the narrowed "neck" that forms when a piece of saltwater taffy is pulled apart.
From Science Daily • Apr. 25, 2026
The weekend was oceanic cliffs and Gilded Age mansions and a kaleidoscopic assortment of saltwater taffy.
From Salon • Mar. 31, 2024
But on Monday she sounded strained, pulled tighter than saltwater taffy.
From Washington Post • Jan. 31, 2023
He passed boxes stacked neatly in the hallway, new computer monitors in the offices and a basket filled with chocolate chip cookies and saltwater taffy.
From Seattle Times • Jan. 27, 2021
Beatriz’s mom gave her twenty-five dollars, so she’s racking up a T-shirt, saltwater taffy, and a coffee cup.
From "Like Vanessa" by Tami Charles
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
