English Explanatory Dictionary

soul cake

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A cake seasoned with spices or raisins given to beggars on All Soul's Eve (Halloween).

Word forms

soul cake soul cakes soulcake soul-cake

Etymology

Probably from Middle English sǒuel, souvel, suvel (“food eaten with bread; food in general”), from Old English sufel, sufol (“anything (especially relish) eaten with bread; sowl”), from Proto-Germanic *suflą (“entremets, viands”), from Proto-Indo-European *seu-, *sew- (“juice; moisture; rain”). + cake. The practice of begging for a soul cake is related to begging for condiments (sowl or soul) from wealthy neighbours, with a Christian re-interpretation.

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