Discussion Forum—A Way with Words, a fun radio show and podcast about language

In the past the word cake had a broader meaning than it does today. And while you are right to say that a cheesecake is more like a pie than a cake, it is actually a tart.

So what did Marie Antoinette mean when she said, "Let them eat cake"?

I never took the quote as indicating lack of caring or cynicism, but rather a total incomprehension of the plight of the common people. Those inclined to be less charitable might simply say it was stupid: if indeed there was a widespread food, grain, and flour shortage, the brioche would surely be as scarce as simple bread. If it is an accurate quote, it might be the equivalent of, upon hearing people were having their homes reposessed (ouch), to say "let them buy mansions, then."