Definition:
“Piece of cake” is an idiomatic expression in English that means something is very easy to do. When someone says a task was “a piece of cake,” they are indicating that it was simple or straightforward, requiring little effort.
Etymology:
The origin of the phrase “piece of cake” is somewhat unclear, but it is believed to have originated in the United States in the early 20th century. The phrase likely draws on the idea that eating a piece of cake is a pleasurable and effortless activity, thus metaphorically extending to tasks that are equally enjoyable and easy.
The word “piece” comes from Old English “picea,” meaning a fragment or portion. This was influenced by the Vulgar Latin “pettia,” which means a bit or piece, and also has roots in Proto-Germanic “bita,” meaning bite. The word was further solidified in English through Old French “piece.” The word “cake” has its origins in Old Norse “kaka,” which referred to a small, flat bread or loaf. This Norse word was adopted into Middle English as “kake.” The ultimate origin might trace back to the Proto-Indo-European root “gag-,” “gag-a,” meaning something round or baked.
Description:
It became widely used during World War II, with soldiers using the term to describe tasks that were straightforward or easily handled.
Symbolism:
The cutting of the wedding cake is a significant ritual in many cultures, symbolizing the first task the married couple performs together. Marriage tend to carry rape symbolism. Cutting the cake, creating a piece of cake, also carries rape symbolism, as a piece of a round cake is an arc.
The song “Melanie Martinez – Cake” uses the metaphor of cake to discuss themes of objectification and emotional manipulation in relationships. The lyrics suggest a sense of frustration and reclaiming agency, as the protagonist confronts someone who has taken advantage of her.
The lyrics of the chorus:
I’m not a piece of cake for you to just discard
while you walk away with the frosting of my heart.
So I’m takin’ back what’s mine.
You’ll miss the slice of heaven that I gave to you last night.
“The frosting of my heart” is a metaphorical phrase that suggests an added layer of sweetness, affection, or decoration to one‘s emotional state, feelings and fantasy. Just like frosting on a cake adds flavor and visual appeal, this phrase implies that something or someone adds joy, beauty, or richness to one‘s heart or emotional life.
“Slice of heaven” carries the same type of rape symbolism as the phrases “piece of cake” and “piece of meat,” as heaven is often used as a metaphor for sex in the context of the ability of con artists to exploit the gullible religious. In the same way as “fucking” can mean both sex, and conning someone.
The lyrics of the bridge:
If I am just a piece of cake.
I am just a piece of cake (cake).
Then you’re just a piece of meat.
You’re just a piece of meat to me.
Cake is slang for buttocks, making the phrase “piece of cake” equivalent to “piece of ass,” meaning to view or treat a woman solely as an object of sexual desire, the same way a “piece of meat” means to view or treat a man solely as an object of sexual desire.