and where did this come from?
2006-12-06 12:51:53 · 4 answers · asked by tony b 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
This expression simply means that "one cannot 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.'
2006-12-06 12:56:27 · answer #1 · answered by SWFC 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's saying that you can't have everything you want. If you have a cake you can either keep it frozen, never eating it..or you could eat it and never see it again...you can't have it both ways because it's impossible. Even if you only ate half of the cake and kept the other half, it's not the same thing you started with.
It probably came from someone that wanted a really pretty looking cake, but once they got it they didn't want to eat it because it was so beautiful but they did want to eat it because it was probably their favorite kind.
We apply this to everything. Let's say you have a lot of money but what's the point of having a lot of money if you never spend it. The money is the cake. You can keep it forever and just look at it...or you could enjoy it by spending it or eating it.
Hope that makes sense...
2006-12-06 21:05:32 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not sure of its origin, however, what this expression means to me is that you cannot look forward to a one time experience that has already happened. Or maybe it means that you should stick with the choices that you make and have no regrets.
2006-12-06 20:57:01 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
simply put; eg. you cannot insult/humiliate your best friend & expects him to remain your best friend
2006-12-06 21:04:06 · answer #4 · answered by Dreamweaver 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋