Lollipop vs Sucker

A thought came through my head today (that's a good thing). I was wondering if there is a difference between a lollipop and a sucker. I did a very quick poll of a small number of people and they did not come back with, "there's no difference". So that got me wondering. Is there a regional difference, gender difference, or something else that makes people make a distinction? Since Mazurland is not a large blog by any means but it does draw on people with a variety of backgrounds, I figured this would be a good forum to pose the question.

In this blog, the topic is discussed. I side with the kid. Formulate your own opinion before reading the link. Then, what say yee?

Comments

[Marty]

I use the generic term sucker to refer to both. But I will more likely call the big piece of candy that you can't fit in your mouth a lollipop. I think of a sucker you can fit in your mouth as a sucker. Likewise, if someone says lollipop, I'll assume the big thing is what he or she is talking about. I think what you have in the graphic for the post is a lollipop. The weird thing is that under my definition, a Toosie Pop is a sucker.

[Paul]

I have had more than one person say that a candy sphere on the end of a stick is a lollipop and a flat, yet round, candy on the end of a stick is a sucker.

[Ben]

I think I concur that the blob-on-a-stick is a sucker, while the flattened-circle-on-a-stick is a lollipop -- although we use the term interchangeably around my house, mostly because of the adorable way my 3yo daughter says "lollipop".

Also, Blow-Pops: Subliminal fellatial brainwashing of our nation's youth, or just tasteless rubbery wad inside a mediocre candy shell?

[Marty]

The really big, flat things would be called a lollygag.

In answer to your last question, Ben: Yes.

[Tara]

A sucker is a gullible person. A lollipop is candy on a stick. I have never used "sucker" to refer to candy - I'm not sure if that's a regional thing or not.

[Chris]

Those little things that doctors used to give out are flat, but I still consider them suckers.

A sucker fits in your mouth. A lollipop is too big, and has to be licked.

[hank]

Thats about right. Those great Crystal Beach treats were suckers.

A guy in Erie County bought all the sucker making equipment from the Hall family when the amusement park closed, and still makes them. I bought some 2 years ago at Canal Fest.

They also make the waffle cakes too! I had a fresh one at Canal Fest, and they're as good as they were 40 years ago, or 80 years ago depending on how old you are.

[Margaret]

I agree with my brother Chris. If I were to define the two, a sucker would be something you could fit into your mouth, while a lollipop would need to be licked. However,I can tell you that I have been looked at rather strangely by parents when asking their children if they want a sucker. So, in order to be regionally accurate I call them lollipops when talking to the locals (SW OH). In our house the terms are interchangeable.

[JS]

I have always used terms interchangeably but in thinking about it - I would never call a large candy on stick like you have pictured a sucker - so there may be a size thing in play...with smaller being sucker. I do think sucker is regional. In Western NY we always used the word sucker but my Bronx born wife had never heard the term...

[may]

i think it regional because i used to live in idaho but moved to florida and in idaho that called it suckers but in florida they called it lollipops

[Amelia]

A sucker has gum, a lollipop is plain (I am almost 7 years old).

[Marty]

Amelia, if that's what you're Mommy taught you, go tell her she's wrong.

[Marty]

...
...
...
Hey, Amelia. If you're still out there. I was kidding. Lesson for today: Big people love kidding kids....

[Marty]

Now, about Santa Claus...

[zig]

I think sucker is Midwestern; lollipop Northeast.

[roman]

I grew up in the west and used both terms ibterchageably. However when we were being specific about them, the lollipop was the spherical hard candy on a stick (i,e, blow pop, tootsie roll pop, dum dum pop) hence the term "pop" and that the flat circular one was called a sucker which was generally put in your mouth and sucked.

[Sadie]

My friend and I just had this conversation. We are both from Western New Work. We agree that lollipops are the flat ones and suckers are the spherical ones, like DumDums or Blow Pops. In response to the Crystal Beach sucker/lollipop comment: I specifically call it a Crystal Beach sucker, because that refers to big rectangular ones.

[Marty]

Good old Crystal Beach suckers! I have one stored away. It must be over 20 years old. Probably not good anymore. But, it's pure sugar, so how could it spoil?

[Sean]

It's regional. In NYC and long island it's lollipop but where I went to college in wny everyone says sucker. It's weird if you've never heard that term used in a non sexual phrase

[Sean]

It's regional. In NYC and long island it's lollipop but where I went to college in wny everyone says sucker. It's weird if you've never heard that term used in a non sexual phrase

[Tone Tone 82]

A lillipop is usually spherical in shape. A sucker is usually flat and round with a wax like consistancy. You would think it would be the other way around... but from what I can find from the "experts" this is the description I found. ( however, they really just call them " stick products")

[Catherin]

I'm from MI. I've also lived in TX and GA. In all three places "sucker" and "lollipop" were used interchangeably. When I think about it, "lollipop" seems more like the spherical candy on a stick, and "sucker" seems more like a flat candy on a stick. I think of a tootsie- or blow-pop as "popping" when you pull them out of your mouth. Whereas a flat candy would be easy to suck on, hence "sucker". When I see the really large ones I will sometimes say "lollipop" and sometimes I say "large sucker"... I think this could be regional, like "soda" vs. "pop", but it also has an historical meaning...I'll look into that, chase down when the terms were first used and for what and maybe we can get an answer that way. :-)

[ashley]

It is a culture difference. My mom is from new york and I was born in coral springs florida by miami. I never heard the word sucker until we moved to alabama. Also, tennis shoes?? They r calle sneakers. Hahaha

[[email protected]]

Really like this blog about delicious lollipop and too yummy to eat, like to eat again and again.the lollipop was the spherical hard candy on a stick. A lillipop is usually spherical in shape. I have never used "sucker" to refer to candy - I'm not sure if that's a regional thing or not.

[party bags]

There are lollipops which also have gums inside. But anyway, both are considered candies. It's still up to the consumer.

[sweet hampers]

Nice post,I get interested with the follow up conversation here, I just want to share my side about sucker refer to lollipop which are the same they just vary in appearance but both are sweet candies that you will love.

[Sharron]

Interesting. I just found this because I'm researching which term to use for a book I'm writing. I'd used 'sucker' but a friend read it and said it should be "lollipop."

Life is intersting