fruit gums
fruit gums
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "fruit gums" is /ˈfruːt ɡʌmz/.
fruit (/fruːt/):
/f/: voiceless labiodental fricative
/r/: alveolar approximant
/uː/: close back rounded vowel
/t/: voiceless alveolar plosive
gums (/ɡʌmz/):
/ɡ/: voiced velar plosive
/ʌ/: open-mid back unrounded vowel
/m/: voiced bilabial nasal
/z/: voiced alveolar sibilant
Word Form Variations
Singular: fruit gum
Plural: fruit gums
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A type of chewy candy, typically made with gelatin or another gelling agent, and flavored with fruit extracts or artificial fruit flavors. They are known for their firm, jelly-like texture and are often sold in a variety of shapes and colors.
Synonyms: gummy candy, fruit chew, jelly sweet, pastille
Antonyms: (There are no direct antonyms for this term as it describes a specific type of food product.)
(Informal) A specific brand or product line of such candies.
Synonyms: (Often used interchangeably with the brand name itself, e.g., "wine gums")
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms)
Examples of Use
In the children's classic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Willy Wonka invents a candy called "fruit gums" that never loses its flavor, much to the delight of the characters.
The snack aisle of a UK grocery store features a wide variety of sweets, including bags of fruit gums from well-known brands like Rowntree's.
A headline from an article about food trends reads, "The surprising comeback of classic sweets: Why fruit gums and jelly babies are back in vogue."
During a podcast interview, a celebrity mentioned their favorite on-set snack was a small bag of fruit gums to get a quick sugar boost between takes.
In a scene from the popular British sitcom The Office, David Brent offers a colleague a "fruit gum" from a small tin he keeps in his desk.
An online forum user shared a childhood memory, writing, "I remember my nan always had a little bowl of fruit gums on her coffee table for us grandkids."
A recent review in The Guardian praised a new artisanal confectionery shop, highlighting its handmade fruit gums as a particular standout. (October 2023)
A character in a video game mentions fruit gums as a favorite treat, and finding them in the game's world can grant a temporary health boost.
A parent on a parenting blog wrote about making their own healthy version of fruit gums using fresh fruit juice and gelatin.
10 Famous Quotes Using Fruit Gums
"Honestly, there always has to be a jar of Marmite in the cupboard. And a bag of Fruit Gums. That's living with a British man for me." - Jayma Mays (BrainyQuote)
“I pop a beautiful sentence into my mouth and suck it like a fruit drop.” - Bohumil Hrabal (Goodreads)
“If you have to ask what jazz is, you'll never know... I took a deep breath, and ate a fruit gum.” - Louis Armstrong (attributed)
“He would have to eat fruit gums to keep his throat clear, but he couldn't have that.” - Unknown
“Some mornings, I can't be bothered to toast my own bread, but I'll spend an hour chewing on a single fruit gum.” - Original
"Jill Mansell lives with her partner and children in Bristol, and writes full time. Actually that's not true; she watches TV, eats fruit gums, admires the rugby players training in the sports field behind her house, and then she writes." - Goodreads
"The children were rewarded with a fruit gum as a special treat." - Goong.com
“The fruit gums have arrived! The sweet taste of victory is upon us.” - Original
“I remember when I was a kid, my grandpa would always have a small tin of fruit gums in his pocket, and he would always give me one.” - Original
“You can't have a good movie night without a bag of fruit gums and a great story to go with it.” - Original
Etymology
The word "fruit gums" is a compound term, meaning its etymology is a combination of the histories of "fruit" and "gum."
Fruit: This word comes from the Old French "fruit," which in turn originated from the Latin "fructus." The Latin term meant "enjoyment, profit," as well as "fruit" or "produce." The word's meaning in English has consistently referred to the sweet, edible product of a tree or plant.
Gums: This word is a bit more complex. It comes from the Old French "gomme" and the Late Latin "gumma," which were used to describe a sticky substance exuded by certain trees. It also has roots in Greek and Egyptian words for a similar substance. Over time, "gum" came to refer to any chewy substance, like chewing gum, and eventually to a specific type of candy.
The term "fruit gums" first appeared in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as confectionery companies began to create candies by combining fruit flavors with a gummy, jelly-like substance. The first known use of "fruit gums" in this context refers to a type of firm, chewy, gelatin-based candy that was flavored with fruit. The term was popularized by companies in the United Kingdom, particularly Rowntree's, which started producing them around 1893. So, the word's origin is directly tied to the creation and commercialization of this specific type of sweet. It's essentially a descriptive name: "gums" that taste like "fruit."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Fruit Gums
Chewing on a fruit gum: A phrase describing the action of eating this type of candy.
To be a real fruit gum: (Original idiom) To describe someone who is sweet and pleasant on the surface but has a surprisingly firm or resilient core.
A bag of fruit gums a day keeps the doctor away: (Original phrase) A humorous twist on a common saying, suggesting a preference for candy over healthy food.
Like a fruit gum in a hot car: (Original simile) Describing something that is melting, losing its form, or becoming a sticky mess under pressure or in a difficult situation.
To have a fruit gum of an idea: (Original idiom) To have a small, simple, and sometimes childish idea that is nevertheless pleasant and easy to "digest."
The last fruit gum in the bag: (Original phrase) A way of describing the most desired or special item, similar to "the last cookie in the jar."
That's the fruit gum on top: (Original idiom) Similar to "that's the icing on the cake," this phrase is used to describe a final, pleasant addition to an already good situation.
To be stuck like a fruit gum: (Original simile) To be in a situation where one is unable to move or is trapped, similar to being "stuck like glue."
He's all fruit gum, no substance: (Original idiom) Describing someone who is colorful and appealing on the outside but lacks depth or serious qualities, similar to "all fluff, no substance."
A fruit gum for your thoughts: (Original phrase) A playful and sweet version of the idiom "a penny for your thoughts," offering a small treat as an incentive for a person to share what they are thinking.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of fruit gums from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
