In that time, cake meant the burnt crust at the bottom of the bread after baking. Peasants got the burnt bottom crust, or cake, while their masters got the tasty soft upper crust of the bread. That’s why the affluent are often called the “upper crust”.
FWIW, there’s no evidence she ever said it. Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s Confessions is where the phrase originates, and it came out well before Marie Antoinette was in a position to utter those words.
You do know the King class was also the capitalist class in France, don’t you, William. That was why the taxes were so high on serfs. It was also that oppressive idea that ended up in a SOCIALIST revolution that’s still going on in the country. Both our tax happy parties are unlikely to learn from the history they keep re-writing.
She was in a position to PAY for them, however, cd. Again something our pols would do well to keep in mind.
Coyoty: An interesting notion about “cake”. Do you have a source for that? (I’m a mad factoid collector.)
One dictionary definition of cake is “a flat thin mass of bread, esp. unleavened bread” — not a sweet, fluffy dessert, but the low-grade food of a poor man. However, the WikiPedia article on “Let them eat cake” indicates that the more common meaning of cake as a dessert (actually “brioche” in the original) is the intended one, with no mention of the sense that you gave.
The article also thoroughly debunks Marie Antoinette ever using that phrase, which seems to have originated before she was born, and would have been out of character for her — she was clueless and an incredible spendthrift, but kindly disposed toward the poor when she thought about them at all.
And what most American’s forget is that the French went bankrupt supporting a certain Revolution of a certain colony of a certain Empire that had been centuries old enemies. And how did they rethank them? Let them be beheaded. Nice. Real nice America.
Actually, she never said anything of the sort. Jean-Jacques Rousseau mentioned in his confessions book about a young princess who made the comment. This was about 75 years before Marie Antoinette was even born. It wasn’t attributed to her until after she was dead.
The statement about the origin of the term “upper crust” is an urban legend. Besides, the actual word (translated into English as “cake”) used by Rousseau in the story he told was “brioche.”
Llewellenbruce over 13 years ago
Even Betty Crocker couldn’t save her from losing her head.
ellisaana Premium Member over 13 years ago
Actually, Betty didn’t. Her head has been replaced with a younger version.
rockngolfer over 13 years ago
She didn’t realize that cake costs more than bread, when the peasants had no bread. Like our 435 plus 100 today.
jscam Premium Member over 13 years ago
Cake without circus is not fair!
GROG Premium Member over 13 years ago
I had no idea Betty Crocker was so old.
Coyoty Premium Member over 13 years ago
In that time, cake meant the burnt crust at the bottom of the bread after baking. Peasants got the burnt bottom crust, or cake, while their masters got the tasty soft upper crust of the bread. That’s why the affluent are often called the “upper crust”.
Sandfan over 13 years ago
Off subject comment:: Coyoty’s avatar suggest that he, like me, is a Green Hornet fan. Anyone seen the movie? Is it worth buying?
cdward over 13 years ago
FWIW, there’s no evidence she ever said it. Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s Confessions is where the phrase originates, and it came out well before Marie Antoinette was in a position to utter those words.
freeholder1 over 13 years ago
You do know the King class was also the capitalist class in France, don’t you, William. That was why the taxes were so high on serfs. It was also that oppressive idea that ended up in a SOCIALIST revolution that’s still going on in the country. Both our tax happy parties are unlikely to learn from the history they keep re-writing.
She was in a position to PAY for them, however, cd. Again something our pols would do well to keep in mind.
peter0423 over 13 years ago
Coyoty: An interesting notion about “cake”. Do you have a source for that? (I’m a mad factoid collector.)
One dictionary definition of cake is “a flat thin mass of bread, esp. unleavened bread” — not a sweet, fluffy dessert, but the low-grade food of a poor man. However, the WikiPedia article on “Let them eat cake” indicates that the more common meaning of cake as a dessert (actually “brioche” in the original) is the intended one, with no mention of the sense that you gave.
The article also thoroughly debunks Marie Antoinette ever using that phrase, which seems to have originated before she was born, and would have been out of character for her — she was clueless and an incredible spendthrift, but kindly disposed toward the poor when she thought about them at all.
soluvrly over 13 years ago
And what most American’s forget is that the French went bankrupt supporting a certain Revolution of a certain colony of a certain Empire that had been centuries old enemies. And how did they rethank them? Let them be beheaded. Nice. Real nice America.
Edcole1961 over 13 years ago
Actually, she never said anything of the sort. Jean-Jacques Rousseau mentioned in his confessions book about a young princess who made the comment. This was about 75 years before Marie Antoinette was even born. It wasn’t attributed to her until after she was dead.
tmick2001 over 13 years ago
Clark Kent: that’s what I’ve heard.
gocomicsmember over 13 years ago
The statement about the origin of the term “upper crust” is an urban legend. Besides, the actual word (translated into English as “cake”) used by Rousseau in the story he told was “brioche.”
ponytail56 over 13 years ago
coyote, thanks I always appreciate an education based in reality
SaunaBeach over 13 years ago
Hey! Stick your cake in your hockey locker.