If so, what does it mean?
2006-08-18 10:03:58 · 11 answers · asked by Josh 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Good question, and I have no idea. I've always wondered about that. If you have a cake, it's no good unless you eat it. So why do people say you can't have a cake and also eat the cake? It makes no sense!
The phrase is supposed to mean that you can't have it both ways.
2006-08-18 16:50:32 · answer #1 · answered by Heron By The Sea 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes I have and may I say that it's stupid because why would I want cake if I couldn't eat it too? Anyway, the meaning of the saying, as far as I've heard, is that you can't have everything you want in life, so you have to make sacrifices to get the things you want or need the most. Hope I helped! =)
2006-08-18 11:48:39 · answer #2 · answered by Shannon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It might be better if you think of it this way:
You can't KEEP your cake and CONSUME it too.
In other words, you can have the cake sitting whole on the counter or you can have an empty plate and cake in your belly.
Does that make sense?
2006-08-18 10:10:38 · answer #3 · answered by Big Ed 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The saying means men would wish for things that cannot be given to them. For example, you can only wish for money if you do not have any, but if you have, you simply cannot enjoy it. This is why you always wish for more (you think you never have enough). Funny though it is, but it always happens that, "when you have your cake", you simply don't fancy it -it is not like you "cannot eat it", you just don't fancy it.
2006-08-18 10:22:23 · answer #4 · answered by george 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can't have it both ways...
You can't have day and night together
You can't serve God and Satan at the same time
You can't be married and act like you are not
etc.
2006-08-18 11:39:30 · answer #5 · answered by Tiny Jr. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yea I have. It means you can't have the best of both worlds.
2006-08-18 10:09:42 · answer #6 · answered by Jamie_F 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Who has not?
It means that choices have consequences: in an either/or situation, "Choice A" necessitates the obviation of "Choice not-A".
Live with it, or live without it.
But decide.
(Sh*t or get off the pot.)
2006-08-18 10:17:22 · answer #7 · answered by comicards 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its you can have your cake and eat it too.
2006-08-18 10:09:27 · answer #8 · answered by flutterflie04 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yea-it means you cant have it both ways, you cant have it all your way if there is some comprimise or understanding of the other personsthoughts that are needed.
2006-08-18 10:46:16 · answer #9 · answered by Holla!!! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means you can not get everything you want.. To put it simple.
2006-08-18 10:09:54 · answer #10 · answered by surfer grl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋