Sen-Sen is a type of breath freshener originally marketed as a "breath perfume" in the late nineteenth century by the T. B. Dunn Company, currently produced by F&F Foods. Sen-Sen bears a strong resemblance to Nigroids, a liquorice sweet made by Ernest Jackson & Company Ltd.
Sen-sen can be purchased today, usually in small packets. In the 1930's it was available in more convenient small cardboard boxes. Similar to a matchbox of the time, an inner box slid out from a cardboard sleeve revealing a small hole from which the tiny Sen-sen squares would fall when the box was shaken.
Michael Chabon references them in his novel The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay.
Zora Neale Hurston references them in her novel Their Eyes Were Watching God.
John D. Fitzgerald references them in his novel The Great Brain.
Lanford Wilson references them in his play Talley's Folly
Robert Asprin has a character called "The Sen Sen Ante Kid" in his novel Little Myth Marker. The character plays Dragon Poker and always starts the game by adding a Sen Sen to the ante.[1]
They are referenced in the songs "(Ya Got) Trouble" from the 1957 musical comedy The Music Man as a way to cover up the smell of cigarettes.[2] Also, the Billy Joel song "Keeping the Faith" - from his 1983 album "An Innocent Man". [3]
Referenced in an episode of King of Queens. Arthur asks Carrie to pick up a pack, and she replies "OK, I have no idea what that is".