To have one’s cake and eat it is first seen in the writings of John Heywood in 1562, where it appears as What man, I trow ye raue, wolde ye bothe eate your cake and haue your cake?
To take the cake is a phrase first seen in 1847.
Nothing was described as a ‘piece of cake’ until 1936.
Let them eat cake has been associated with Marie Antoinette since 1870. However, it appears in Rousseau's Confessions as early as 1740 and speaks of it being a phrase associated with French queens and princesses for some time.
Seed cake has been known as such since the 1570s.
Sweet cake, ie cake made with a significant amount sugar, is unknown before 1726.
Spice cake dates from the early 15th century.
Johnny cake, an American dish, has been around since 1775 and is of uncertain origin, although one explanation is a corruption of ‘Shawnee cake’.
Cupcakes have been around since 1828, and the phrase has been used as a reference to an attractive young woman since the 1930s.
Pancakes have been known as such since around 1400, although Shrove Tuesday is not referred to as Pancake Day until 1777.
Cakewalk – as in something easy – dates from 1863.
Cheesecake is from the middle of the 15th century, although it wouldn’t be the same thing as in the modern era.
Fruitcake is first recorded in 1838. As a term describing someone as ‘not sane’
Shortcake has been recorded since the 1590s.
Yellowcake was coined in 1950 – don’t look for a recipe, this oxide of uranium is most certainly not edible.
Simnel cake has been recorded since around the end of the 12th century.
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