Hard candy is a type of candy that is solid and hard, as opposed to soft and chewy candies. The term “hard candy” can also be used as slang with various meanings, usually related to drugs, alcohol, or sex. In this article, we’ll explore the different slang meanings of hard candy and where they originated from.
Hard Candy as Slang for Drugs
One of the most common slang uses of “hard candy” refers to drugs, especially crack cocaine. Crack typically comes in small, rock-like chunks that resemble hard candy. Thus, people started referring to crack rocks as “hard candy” as a code word to avoid explicitly mentioning drugs.
This slang term became popular in the 1980s and 1990s during the crack epidemic in the United States. Law enforcement started catching onto the “hard candy” code and eventually it became well-known as a term for crack cocaine.
Here are some examples of how “hard candy” is used in reference to drugs:
– “Hey man, can you hook me up with some of that hard candy?”
– “I’m all out of hard candy right now.”
– “My dealer said he just got a new shipment of hard candy in.”
The term is sometimes broadened beyond just crack to refer to other hard drugs like crystal meth. However, it remains most closely associated with crack cocaine.
Hard Candy as Slang for Alcohol
In some contexts, especially in the southern United States, “hard candy” can refer to distilled spirits or liquor. The connection to regular hard candy is that liquor often contains a high sugar content, giving it a sweet flavor.
Some examples of using “hard candy” in reference to alcohol:
– “Let’s go pick up some hard candy before the party.”
– “Can I get you some hard candy on the rocks?”
– “I’ll take a shot of that hard candy, please.”
This slang usage emerged in the early 1900s Prohibition era when liquor was outlawed in the U.S. Code words and slang terms were commonly used to covertly refer to alcohol. The sugar content of liquor likely led to the “hard candy” comparison.
Hard Candy as Slang for Sex
There is also sexual slang meaning of “hard candy” referring to either the penis or sex with young, attractive people. How did hard candy become associated with sex? The connection comes from the metaphor of unwrapping and putting hard candy in your mouth.
Here are some examples using “hard candy” with sexual meaning:
– “Check out the hard candy on that guy.”
– “I’d like a taste of her hard candy.”
– “He was caught flirting with some young hard candy at the bar.”
The usage implying underage targets is often viewed as unethical or insulting. However, “hard candy” as slang for sex or the penis in general remains common in some circles.
Other Slang Usages
Beyond the major definitions covered already, “hard candy” has some other niche slang meanings as well:
– Money – Hard candy can refer to coins or change, by comparison to the hardness and shininess of candy.
– Jewelry – Expensive jewelry is sometimes referred to as hard candy, from the visual resemblance of gems to wrapped sweets.
– Something desirable – By extension of candy being a coveted treat, hard candy may refer to anything desirable, like a nice car or watch.
– Cowboy menthol cigarettes – Specifically in prison slang, these cigarettes are referred to as hard candy.
While these definitions are less common, they demonstrate the flexibility of slang terms. Hard candy can carry very different meanings across various contexts.
Origin and History
When did the slang usage of “hard candy” first emerge? There are references to the term meaning liquor dating back to the 1930s. The meaning related to crack cocaine grew more prominent in the late 1900s. However, it’s likely hard candy had sexual connotations going back even earlier.
The exact origin is hard to pin down. But we know the slang term has its roots in the early 20th century. As hard candy (regular candy) grew popular, the word got adopted into various slang lexicons. Since it carries connotations of sweetness, addiction, and desirability, it easily picked up more illicit secondary meanings.
The prevalence of “hard candy” as a code word hit its peak in the 1990s during the War on Drugs (crack epidemic) when the drug meaning was most dominant. Even though the crack crisis ended, the slang term remains common today in multiple contexts.
Regional Differences
Like many slang words, the meaning of “hard candy” varies somewhat regionally. Some definitions are more common in certain areas.
In the southern U.S., the alcohol usage is most well-established. On the West Coast, it more typically refers to drugs. The sexual meaning is widespread, though considered more vulgar in some socially conservative areas.
Urban dictionary pages illustrate the geographic differences. For example:
– Atlanta entry focuses on liquor
– Texas entry focuses on sex
– Oakland entry focuses on drugs
So the slang meaning depends on regional speech patterns to some degree. However, the drug connotation of hard candy is likely the most universal.
Cultural References
Hard candy as a drug code word has made its way into popular culture through movies, music, and more:
Films – Movies like Menace II Society and Dead Presidents both use “hard candy” in drug scenes.
Songs – Rappers like 50 Cent, Machine Gun Kelly, and Pusha T have used the term in songs.
Books – Hard Candy is the title of a controversial book about underage sexuality.
So the slang term is now firmly ingrained in cultural consciousness, especially in relation to drugs and sex. Most audiences are likely familiar with the implied meanings in creative works.
Conclusion
While originally just a type of confectionery, “hard candy” took on new slang meanings over the 20th century. It became a code word for illegal substances like crack and crystal meth. It also picked up sexual connotations related to desirability and youth.
Regional differences affect the nuances, but the drug definition is likely the most universal. Hard candy as slang appeared in Prohibition times, peaked in the 1990s, and continues evolving today. Though candy itself is innocent, its slang uses venture into far edgier territory.