SoCS — Icing on the Cake

Fandango

For this week’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt, Linda G. Hill has asked us to write about the first thing that comes to mind when we think of the phrase “icing on the cake.”

“Icing on the cake” is an interesting phrase. It can be used literally to mean what is pictured above. It’s the sweet concoction you put on top of and around a cake to make it taste better. Cake is pretty good on its own. But then you put icing on it, and it’s even better.

Or, it can be used figuratively or metaphorically to refer to something extra that makes a good thing even better. For example:

Trump, having been arrested and tried for his criminal conduct was good. The fact that he was convicted and thrown in prison for the rest of his life was icing on the cake.

Occasionally, though, “icing on the cake” may be used in a negative way, meaning something added to a bad situation that is not essential but makes that situation even worse. In most cases, when used this way, it’s in a sarcastic or ironic way. For example:

My wife got half of my money after the divorce, but, dammit, her getting possession of my beloved Porsche was just icing on the cake.

Personally, I like cake with or without the icing, although I have to admit that carrot cake wouldn’t be nearly as good without the cream cheese icing. Am I right or what?

17 thoughts on “SoCS — Icing on the Cake”

  1. Sadje January 22, 2022 / 3:37 am

    Yes, carrot cake needs icing.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Marleen January 22, 2022 / 4:36 am

    Yum

    Liked by 1 person

  3. bikerchick57 January 22, 2022 / 5:25 am

    You are correct about the cream cheese frosting…and now you’ve given me a nudge to make carrot cake muffins. Is it possible to make them calorie free? That would be my icing on the cake. 😉

    Liked by 2 people

  4. pensitivity101 January 22, 2022 / 5:56 am

    You are so right about carrot cake and cream cheese frosting Fandango!

    Liked by 2 people

  7. JoAnna January 22, 2022 / 6:45 am

    If the emperor wanna be was thrown in prison for the rest of his life, I’d be concerned that he would become a martyr. I just wish everyone would see him for what he really is.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Fandango January 22, 2022 / 8:32 am

      Yeah, you make a good point about him being a martyr, but for him to get away scot-free and maybe even run for president again (and possibly win) turns my stomach.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Maggie January 22, 2022 / 7:13 am

    I may eat my words, but I doubt 45 will ever darken a prison cell.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Susan St.Pierre January 22, 2022 / 8:23 am

    A nice evaluation of the prompt and glimpse of your critical thought process!
    (Couldn’t help must notice how much real estate Trump owns in your head. LOL)

    Liked by 1 person

  10. leigha66 January 25, 2022 / 1:25 am

    Carrot cake is pretty tasty, but it would be a whole different experience without that cream cheese icing.

    Liked by 1 person

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