saltwater taffy

noun

variants or salt water taffy

US

: taffy that is made in various colors and flavors and is usually sold in small, individually-wrapped pieces

Where better can the vacationing population of the Cape go to sightsee a human kaleidoscope, to keep kids entertained, to buy saltwater taffy and a Cape Cod sweatshirt, to have a good time and a good meal?

—Charles N. Barnard

Note: Saltwater taffy is typically associated with seaside tourist areas. It may have salt as an ingredient, but it does not contain seawater.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Each basket is big enough to hold three or four dumplings, their fillings showing through the taut, translucent wrappers like saltwater taffy. —New York Times, 20 Apr. 2021

The evening will be spent lounging on the deck at sunset and enjoying a movie night under the stars (with saltwater taffy and local snacks—of course!). —Kaitlyn Mcinnis, Forbes, 26 Aug. 2022

Think: a box of saltwater taffy and a Nicholas Sparks novel in your rattan tote. —Meg Donohue, ELLE, 6 Jan. 2023

Known for nostalgic goodies like orange sticks and saltwater taffy, Sweet Candy Co. brings tasty traditions to memories and mouths. —Kolbie Peterson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 25 Dec. 2022

Its Best of Mackinac Island Sampler ($49.95) features caramel corn, peanut brittle, saltwater taffy, and two, half-pound slices of Ryba’s fudge. —Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 6 Dec. 2022

Suspended from the ceiling is a pearlescent 2017 Bocci light fixture, 87, that stretches out like saltwater taffy. —Nick Marino Andrew Rowat, New York Times, 20 Sep. 2022

And there was also the Candy Castle Maze, with tables filled with all kinds of candy, including Tootsie Rolls, Laffy Taffy and saltwater taffy. —Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2022

From Christine Nadalié, this includes aromas of chalk, blueberries, raspberries in a wine with bright acidity and low-key tannins and flavors of blueberries, beef bourguignon, saltwater taffy and butterscotch midpalate. —Tom Mullen, Forbes, 22 May 2022

See More

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above