Rat candy is rodenticide. The name is a slang nickname, the exact origins of which are not conclusively known. One possible origin is the way that a rat is attracted to rat poison like a child to candy, another possibility being the use of actual candy, particularly chocolate, as bait when luring a rat into a trap that will lead to its imprisonment or demise.
According to United States Environmental Protection Agency statistics, approximately 13,000 American children were treated for ingesting rat poison in 2004, most mistaking the rodenticide for candy. Other sources put the figure nearer to the 50,000 mark.
Warfarin, an early rat poison, was derived from licorice. Tales of poisoned candy also abound in urban legends.
Rat Candy is the title of the debut album by English band The Malfated, released on 6 June 2006. Lead singer Karl Steiger heard the phrase in reference to rodenticide during a visit to Texas.
Rat Candy is also actual confectionery made to look like rats and other rodents. Such candy is particularly popular during Halloween.
Famous quotes containing the words rat and/or candy:
“But you think ... that it is time for me to have done with the world, and so I would if I could get into a better before I was called into the best, and not die here in a rage, like a poisoned rat in a hole.”
—Jonathan Swift (1667–1745)
“I’m headed for a land that’s far away
Beside the crystal fountains.
So come with me, we’ll go and see
The Big Rock Candy Mountains.”
—Unknown. The Big Rock Candy Mountains (l. 5–8)