I never understood the phrase "you can't have your cake and eat it too" I was wondering what is its origin? When and why did it start being used. To me it makes no sense, if I have a cake I expect to eat it. So any information would be good. Thank you.
Bookmark/Search this post with:
From "Random House Dictionary
From "Random House Dictionary of Popular Proverbs and Sayings" by Gregory Y. Titelman:
"You can't have your cake and eat it too -- One can't use something up and still have it to enjoy. This proverb was recorded in the book of proverbs by John Heywood in 1546, and is first attested in the United States in the 1742 'Colonial Records of Georgia' in 'Original Papers, 1735-1752.' The adage is found in varying forms: You can't eat your cake and have it too. You can't have everything and eat it too; Eat your cake and have the crumbs in bed with you, etc. ..."