Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

Tx4obama

(36,974 posts)

6. Google search result...

Reply to Bandit (Original post)

Wed Mar 20, 2013, 06:00 PM

Mar 2013

What does "eat one's cake and have it, too" mean?
Also, have one's cake and eat it, too. Have a dual benefit, consume something and still possess it, as in Doug was engaged to Ann and still dating Jane; he was trying to eat his cake and have it, too. This metaphoric expression is often put negatively, as it already was in John Heywood's proverb collection of 1546: “You cannot eat your cake and have your cake.”

http://idioms.yourdictionary.com/eat-one-s-cake-and-have-it-too

Also...

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Have_one%27s_cake_and_eat_it_too

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

18 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Where does "have his cake and eat it too" come from and what does it mean? [View all] Bandit Mar 2013 OP

My wife asked me this last week. NaturalHigh Mar 2013 #1

It is poorly worded Dreamer Tatum Mar 2013 #2

I've not researched it, but Denzil_DC Mar 2013 #3

it makes more sense backwards, "you can't eat your cake and have it too" Coexist Mar 2013 #4

It just means you can't have it both ways Hekate Mar 2013 #5

Google search result... Tx4obama Mar 2013 #6

Does this work - DURHAM D Mar 2013 #7

It's "You can't have your cake and eat it too." ananda Mar 2013 #8

Wikipedia sez: Cirque du So-What Mar 2013 #9

Oil companies 'Have their cake and eat it too' angstlessk Mar 2013 #10

Just for ducks KT2000 Mar 2013 #11

If you eat the damn cake, you don't have it anymore. Lex Mar 2013 #12

Thanks for asking this - I never knew either. Ruby the Liberal Mar 2013 #13

To eat the cake, yet still have it cthulu2016 Mar 2013 #14

Oooooh, is that how it's supposed to go? jazzimov Mar 2013 #15

From wiki JVS Mar 2013 #16

The one that used to get me was "waste not, want not." reformist2 Mar 2013 #17

Yes, let them eat cake. Bobbie Jo Mar 2013 #18