Groaning cake

• Format: Manuscript
• Language: English
• Subjects: English language > Dialects > Newfoundland and Labrador; Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/elrcdne/id/31517

groaning When a birth is expected, a cake is prepared called the groaning cake. Very soon after it occurs, with little regard to the feelings or nerves of the mother, a feast is made, particularly for the elderly women, of whom all in the neighbourhood are present. This is called the "_bide-in_ feast," and at it the "groaning cake" is distributed, bearing the same relation to the occasion that "bride cake" does to the marriage feast. This is in accordance with old English practice and language, in which, accord- ing to Halliwell, _groaning_ denotes lying-in. Hence we have in Scotch _groaning malt_, drink provided for the occasion, and in old english _groaning cheese_, _groaning chair_, and _groaning cake_. Judge Bennett supposes that the name of the feast is only the present participle of _bide_, and means staying or waiting. PRINTED ITEM DNE-cit DNE-cit G. M. Story July 1959 Used I and Sup Used I and Sup 1 Used I [see 'bride cake']