I wondered about this for years and years, never understanding, especially, since “having cake” and “eating cake” are used interchangeably. But, I finally figured it out! In this sense, the “having” is equivalent to “keeping” or “being in possession of.”
Examples:
“What’s it like having a Mercedes Benz?”
“The Smiths have a very nice home.”
No eating implied!
Therefore, the saying is more inline with “You can’t keep (to show off or admire) your cake, and eat it, too.”
I wondered about this for years and years, never understanding, especially, since “having cake” and “eating cake” are used interchangeably. But, I finally figured it out! In this sense, the “having” is equivalent to “keeping” or “being in possession of.”
Examples:
No eating implied!
Therefore, the saying is more inline with “You can’t keep (to show off or admire) your cake, and eat it, too.”
But you can. Just cut a hole in the bottom and eat it from there. Then it’s presentable and edible.
Ok smartass
/j