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The Daily Insight

What do New Yorkers call sprinkles?

Author

Rachel Newton

Updated on February 21, 2026

What do New Yorkers call sprinkles?

In many places on the East Coast, Philadelphia, and Boston, for example, chocolate sprinkles are called jimmies. But, it’s not the entire East Coast, since New Yorkers call them sprinkles. And, some people as far west as Michigan and even Wisconsin call them jimmies.

What is the difference between jimmies and sprinkles?

Sprinkles were tiny, multi-colored spheres applied to baked goods, usually cupcakes. Jimmies were slightly larger, oblong-shaped chocolate or multi-colored candies used for adorning ice cream cones and sundaes.

What do the English call sprinkles?

In England, sprinkles are known as “hundreds-and-thousands,” which, as an American who had never heard that term before, I found to be incredibly accurate.

What are the 4 types of sprinkles?

In the United States, “Sprinkles” is probably the most popular catch-all term for all of these bits of garnish. But within that category, there are many names, shapes, and sizes: nonpareils, hundreds-and-thousands, jimmies, sanding sugar, pearl sugar, and dragees.

Where do they say Jimmies?

Jimmies is the most popular term for chocolate sprinkles in the Philadelphia, Boston and New England regions. The origin of the name jimmies is uncertain, but it was first documented in 1930, as a topping for cake.

What do Philly people call sprinkles?

I love that they called them jimmies!” “If you live in Philly and call these sprinkles, leave.” “FYI: Jimmies are chocolate. Just Born, the Brooklyn-founded, Bethlehem-based company best known as the creator of Peeps, claims it invented the topping back in the 1930s, and coined the “jimmies” name.

Why are sprinkles called hundreds and thousands?

Hundreds-and-Thousands is the term favored in England as well as countries which speak British English; this term seems to refer specifically to the tiny, round type of nonpareil sprinkles (the type pictured at the top of the post).

What is hundreds and thousands British slang?

Hundreds and thousands is an idiomatic expression used to mean “an indefinite but emphatically large number”.

Why are sprinkles banned in the UK?

The sprinkles contain a regulated additive But the West Yorkshire Trading Standards agency deemed them illegal, because they contain a coloring called erythrosine.

Are hundreds and thousands sprinkles?

Sprinkles, which are known in some countries as hundreds and thousands, are very small pieces of confectionery used as an often colourful decoration or to add texture to desserts such as brownies, cupcakes, doughnuts or ice cream.

Why are sprinkles called nonpareils?

The word ‘nonpareils’ originates from the French word meaning ‘having no equal’ and the confectionery has its origins in sugar coated seeds and nuts known as ‘comfits’. Nonpareils are commonly available in supermarkets and grocery stores, though they have been available commercially as early as the 1840s.

Why do Philadelphians call sprinkles jimmies?

“If you live in Philly and call these sprinkles, leave.” “FYI: Jimmies are chocolate. Those were Sprinkles.” The tale, which a rep for the company insisted is still accurate, goes that the confection (chocolate only, back then) was named after one Jimmy Bartholomew, the employee who worked the machine that made them.