pat-a-cake
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of pat-a-cake
First recorded in 1870–75; after the opening words of a rhyme that accompanies such play
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
They played cards and pat-a-cake clapping games, in effect living the childhood denied them.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 8, 2019
My mother is bending over my little brother, Philip, in his high chair, playing pat-a-cake to trick him into letting her wipe his face and hands, making his mouth spill open with delighted laughter.
From The New Yorker ● Apr. 1, 2013
But Falstaff's presumption in attempting to woo Mistresses Ford and Page transforms them into cheeky schoolgirls performing pat-a-cake, and Ford into a grotesque contorted by jealousy.
From The Guardian ● Aug. 20, 2010
They performed tricks for fish: spinning a ball on their noses, playing pat-a-cake, waving a flipper and blowing kisses to their adoring, squealing fans.
From Washington Post
What an inspired version of pat-a-cake and mud pies is this!
From Children's Rights A book of nursery logic by Kate Douglas Smith Wiggin
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
