Got the munchies?

Liquorice Allsorts, Lovehearts, Peardrops... I have a sweet tooth. In fact I'm sure it's not just one tooth, but several — possibly all of them. I have sweet teeth, and my dentist has always warned me of the dangers of giving in to my lust for sugary treats. If I'm not careful, I will have only one sweet tooth — which would not look sweet at all!

Nevertheless, I like to indulge myself once in a while. And I do enjoy wallowing in nostalgia as I scan the sweeties from my childhood when I'm back in Britain: candy necklaces, white chocolate mice, strawberry laces...

I had the chance last week in a newsagent's in Port Seton. Not only was I transported back 30 years (or more); I was delighted that there was a learning opportunity on the wrappers of Munchies. They spoke to me in synonyms for "eat":

"nibble me"
"scoff me"
"munch me"
"devour me"

"You want me," they teased.

Turns out I didn't want them. I'd just had a Curly Wurly and a Creme Egg!

If you have the munchies, you feel hungry. This can sometimes happen late at night, after an evening on the town.
· "I've got the munchies. Do you think the kebab stand is still open?"

When you munch something, like an apple or crisps, you eat steadily and often noisily.
· "Hugo's quite happy, isn't he? Munching away on his toast!" 

If you devour something, you eat it really quickly because you are so hungry.
· "I think he liked the risotto. He devoured the whole lot!"

Scoff has the same meaning as "devour", but is informal British English.

And if you nibble on or at something, you take tiny bites, either because you don't like it or because you want to savour every last crumb.

Again what learned!