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Glite Dictionary
nose candy

nose candy

2 9.9
An illegal white drug that people inhale through the nose
  • noun
  • /noʊz ˈkændi/
  • NSFW
translation icon : cocaína
  • Many artists in the 80s were known for their use of nose candy to fuel their creativity.

Examples

  • He got in trouble for using nose candy at the party last night.

  • Wanted to know if we had "nose candy"?

    Light Sleeper (1992)

  • Too much nose candy for Wash.

    Blog text (20)

  • Every time somebody offers Sid some nose candy, you end up with it.

    Beyond the Law (1993)

  • What do you say we go down to my Rolls and fill that... bunker with some nose candy?

    Hardbodies (1984)

  • Nose candy, Chuck.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • And this doesn't even factor in how much booze she consumes or nose candy she hoovers up on a daily basis, not to mention the other lawsuits she has to settle or daily expenditures for food/insundries.

    Blog text (5)

  • After years of addiction, he finally decided to quit nose candy for good.

Synonyms

cocaine
vsnose candy
  • NSFW
386 6.1

A strong addictive drug from coca leaves used illegally to make people energetic and sometimes to numb body parts

is an informal slang label rather than a formal medical term
coke
vsnose candy
  • NSFW
156 9.8

An illegal white powder drug that gives a short strong high

is a slang term used more generally than the street name
blow
vsnose candy
  • NSFW
58 9.9

An illegal drug usually a white powder called cocaine

is a slang term not limited to illegal-use contexts
snow
vsnose candy
  • NSFW
31 9.9

A white illegal drug in powder form

is a slang term for any form rather than only powdered
C
vsnose candy
  • NSFW
11 9.9

An illegal white drug called cocaine

is a slang term that is more colorful and playful

Surface Forms

nose candy singular
nose candies plural

Morphology

nose + candy

This is a slang, idiomatic term whose specific referent (cocaine) cannot be deduced from the literal meanings of 'nose' and 'candy' by an average B1 learner. Although 'nose' may hint at snorting and 'candy' suggests something small or sweet, the drug meaning is metaphorical and language-specific, so the expression is not predictably compositional.

Etymology

Nose candy comes from a clear image: the white powder is taken through the nose, and calling it candy makes it seem like a sweet, tempting treat. That's why the phrase means 'cocaine'.