lmrich Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 What does the expression "that is like the icing on the cake" mean to you... Dh came home very late last night and reported that an unhappy women at the company's conference referred to DH's division as being the icing on the cake. Several members of DH's group were so angry by this comment. They took it mean that they were insignicant. I disagree - the icing is often the best part. What do you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janie Grace Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 Yes, they are misunderstanding the saying. I think "the icing on the cake" refers to something special/good (but maybe not vital) that has been added to something already good. For example, I might say "we had a great time in Florida, and getting to do Disney was the icing on the cake." The misinterpretation is hilarious! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 A great thing made even better for the existence of X. That is a CRAZY thing to be upset about. WAS she unhappy? If so, maybe she did mean something like, "gilding the lily" which means that something is unnecessary or a step too far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 I've heard that phrase turned around until it means a negative thing. As an example, a day/project/meeting goes poorly and it's referred to as the icing on the cr*p cake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angela in ohio Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 We use it in two ways: (1.) We use it to mean "the straw that broke the camel's back." "Isn't that just the icing on the cake?" would mean that that thing was just one more bad thing in a long list. (2.) And then it is also used to mean something good that is just one more good things on top of othe good things. It would depend on the context. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn. Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 Yes, they are misunderstanding the saying. I think "the icing on the cake" refers to something special/good (but maybe not vital) that has been added to something already good. For example, I might say "we had a great time in Florida, and getting to do Disney was the icing on the cake." The misinterpretation is hilarious! :lol: No, they didn't misunderstand. Usually it is a positive term meaning the best part. In this case, if she was complaining about something, saying his group was "the icing on the cake", meant it was the worst of the worst part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 No, they didn't misunderstand. Usually it is a positive term meaning the best part. In this case, if she was complaining about something, saying his group was "the icing on the cake", meant it was the worst of the worst part. If she was really upset, then I agree. But, I've also seen people misuse or misunderstand phrases. I've seen people use the word "jaded" to mean "experienced." I've seen the phrase "kabuki show" used when they meant "dog and pony show," (maybe this one is more subtle?). I've seen them use the word "transparent" when they actually meant "obfuscated." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Candid Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 Yes, I think generally it is positive, but the first thing to be cut in a business is "the icing on the cake" because icing is extra. That's why his coworkers aren't happy about that label. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmrich Posted February 3, 2012 Author Share Posted February 3, 2012 Ok that makes sense, meaning that it is not necessary an extra. Of course this person is known for stirring things up so most likely anything she says is taken as an insult. I thought DH should bring a cake today with delicious icing and another that was dry and without icing. Then his group could see how icing is needed. He is in the energy business; his group specializes in wind power. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebecca VA Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 I've always heard "the icing on the cake" used in a sarcastic, negative way. Always. I've never heard it used in a positive way, unless the person is actually talking about cake. P.S. I see you're from Atlanta. I think "the icing on the cake" is a southern expression meaning "the last straw." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 I would have thanked her for such a lovely comment, which would have made her look kind of dumb since she was obviously trying to insult them. :tongue_smilie: I just looked it up and the explanation agrees with mine. A cake is good. Having icing on top is even better. I tried to find the origin, but didn't. It reminds me of war rationing. Something like a cake was probably special in itself but to have icing might have been seen as decadent. But I could be way off base. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TN Mama Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 I've always heard "the icing on the cake" used in a sarcastic, negative way. Always. I've never heard it used in a positive way, unless the person is actually talking about cake. P.S. I see you're from Atlanta. I think "the icing on the cake" is a southern expression meaning "the last straw." Interesting. I've only ever heard it as a positive, like the previous example about going to FL and visiting Disney was the icing on the cake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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