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KaKa-Old Nordic Word --Part II
In part I the history of cake was discussed. If you have not read start
here:
http://community.adlandpro.com/forumShowPost.aspx?PostID=364709
According to historians, ancient Egyptians were the first to show evidence of
advanced baking skills. Early cakes were actually bread until reliable ovens,
food molds, refined sugar and baking powder made it possible to make cakes
much as we have today.
In mid-evil times people hid objects in the cake like coins, rings and thimbles
in the batter. A wedding was predicted for the person who found a ring in their
piece of cake. If a coin was found it indicated that the person would become
wealthy. The unfortunate person finding the thimble, was the indication that
the person would never marry. Another superstitution was that bad luck would
follow the baker for the next year if the cake fell.
SHAPES: Cakes were originally round as scholars believe that the Greeks
and perhaps the Romans were taking cakes to the temples of Artemis or Diane,
Goddess of the moon. Round was more desired as it indicated a full moon.
With time wonderful molds were created to make shapes to celebrate a
special occassion. The layered, frosted , fancy cake became popular during the
Victorian area. As housewives began to shortening the cake baking process and wanted to assure that the cake would stay in tact, the rectangle, square, and tube pans gained popularity. At one time women took grant pains to make a stunning presentation, placing the cake on a tall pedistal type plate cake where the cake took the place of honor on the table.
DECORATING: Early cakes were decorated with a mixture of boiled sugar, egg
whites and flavors poured over the cakes. They were then returned to the oven
to bake further. When taken out the topping cooled to form a glossy ice-like
covering..... thus the word icing or frosting.
TRADITIONS: Candles on the cake indicate the number of years the person(s) birthdays have passed plus one for good luck. Anniversary cakes do not follow
that custom, to the writers knowledge. Writing on the cake wishes a specfic
person(s) by name; a happy birthday or anniversary, good luck in retirement,
good will wishes for a happy marriage, etc. Smearing the name with a knife
before cutting is done grant good wishes to the person. Blowing out the candles, after making a silent wish is done by the person being honored. Candles that will not blow out have become a joke to taunt the honoree.
ENGLISH SLANG: In part I we used the phrases "take the cake" and "easy as
cake. If you are not sure what they mean go back to part I.
"Add the icing (frosting) to the cake" means that a final sentence is added to a statement to finalize the message, to end a situation. A cake is done when frosted, thus we say "she (he) put the frosting on the cake" or "that was the frosting on the cake".
Example: George entered the room and heard his wife say to her mother. "I went
to the Doctor today and he told me I was pregnant." Then she put the frosting on
the cake, " I am probably going to have twins" she was heard to say.
John found that his son had not paid his car insurance. That was the frosting on the cake, " You are grounded" said his dad.
OTHER ENGLISH WORDS:
pancake: thin batter fried on a griddle
fishcake- minced fish formed into a pattie
rice cake-snack made from rice, round, dry
like a cracker
tea cakes- not cake at all---a fancy cookie
served at tea time
cake of soap
cake of face make up, sauve, etc
cake it on---put it on thick
Johnny cake--misprounciation of Journey cake.
http://community.adlandpro.com/forumShowPost.aspx?PostID=292101&pageindex=4
Go to page 5 on "Name John"
LET'S USE THIS FORUM TO SHARE CAKE MEMORIES AND TRADITIONS
How does your family use cake to celebrate? What are the superstitions of
your country, regarding cake? Many culturers do not have the dessert cake and some have adapted the Eurpean, American sweet cake for dessert.
Cake recipes can be posted here
http://community.adlandpro.com/forumShowPost.aspx?PostID=362396
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