Saturday, January 3, 2026

Why does something good ‘take the cake’?

This idiom has a surprisingly literal past — and an ironic twist that lets tone do all the work.
Word smarts wordmark

Daily edition

Idioms

What is the origin of 'it takes the cake'?

This idiom has a surprisingly literal past — and an ironic twist that lets tone do all the work.

Slices of cake on table with sprinkles

"W ell, that takes the cake!" This statement, said with different intonations in two different contexts, can be interpreted as either high praise or derision. How can the exact same words convey such disparate meanings with only a shift in tone? 

"It takes the cake" can mean something is ranked first — or something is foolish or annoying. Let's take a look at how this idiom has been used over the decades.

Continue reading

Right arrow
Face with Monocle emoji

Face with Monocle

Meaning: Indicates curiosity, skepticism, or pondering through a face wearing a monocle.


Evolution: When it was added in 2017, this emoji quickly became popular for expressing confusion or investigation. It often conveys a tone of smugness or skepticism along with the questioning.


Usage: [Reply to a YouTube video:] adjusts monocle interesting hypothesis 🧐

How To Art Kate Bryan

How To Art

Have you ever enjoyed an art museum, but didn't understand what you were looking at? In "How To Art," an art history professor explains what you were perhaps missing. With humor, author Kate Bryan doles out advice on creating, enjoying, and collecting art. Of course, a book about art wouldn't be complete without some art, and artist David Shringley provides beautiful illustrations with his signature offbeat drawings.

Samantha Abernethy, Word Smarts Writer

Shop now

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Hand holding punctuation mark hyphen
Grammar Star divider 2 MIN READ Star divider
Heart Icon 18 LIKES

Can You End a Sentence With a Hyphenated Word?

A sentence that ends with a hyphenated word can come across like a story missing its last line. But there are easy ways to avoid this grammar gaffe.

Continue reading

Right arrow
A World of Words

Subscribe

Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use Do Not Sell My Information
325 North LaSalle Street, Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60654

No comments:

Post a Comment