Why can't I have my cake and eat it, too?

[DJ Doena]

While I understand what this phrase is supposed to say (I can't have it both ways) I don't understand the phrase itself.

I can't eat a cake that I have but I can eat I cake that I don't have?!? 

[Touti]

There's a saying in french, "On ne peut pas avoir le beurre et l'argent du beurre" (litteral translation: One can't have the butter and the butter money").  I wonder if your sentence means you can't have it both ways or if it means you can't have everything like the "butter" sentence.

[northbloke]

I think it means that once you've eaten the cake you no longer "have it" - it's gone.
So you can't eat your cake but still have it afterwards.

[goodguy]

Apropos: Roger Ebert just reviewed Cake Eaters (with Kristen Stewart, directed by Mary Stuart Masterson).

[Achim]

I think it means that once you've eaten the cake you no longer "have it" - it's gone.
So you can't eat your cake but still have it afterwards.

That makes perfect sense to me! Thanks.

[DJ Doena]

I think it means that once you've eaten the cake you no longer "have it" - it's gone.
So you can't eat your cake but still have it afterwards.

That sounds logical. Thanks.

[MEJHarrison]

What I've never understood is why not just eat half?  Than you can have it and eat it too (half of it anyway). 

I've always hated this particular phrase.

[Jimmy]

That's why our expression (already mentioned by Eric) is better. No ambiguity here you have one or the other.

[Najemikon]

Eh? How is your phrase better? Why can't I say, "I shall only purchase half my usual butter this fine day, and keep half my butter money. In fact, I may switch to a low-fat tastes like butter, even though it's not butter, spread, and keep all my butter money." 

Anyway, I don't see the problem with the cake phrase. What if they're talking about a Mr Kipling Almond Slice? You'd look like a right tool if you only ate half cos they're tiny...

[Tom]

What I've never understood is why not just eat half?  Than you can have it and eat it too (half of it anyway). 

I've always hated this particular phrase.

If you eat it half, you would make a compromise and still won't have full benefits of both ways

[Sanuye]

In Italy we say : you can't have the barrel full (of wine) and a drunken wife 

[Touti]

In Italy we say : you can't have the barrel full (of wine) and a drunken wife 

  I like that one Sanuye 


Jon, who said anything about spreading that butter.......if you're so broke as to having to decide between buying it or keeping the money you surely can't afford the bread so why break your head anyway