Date: Mon, 6 Feb 1995 08:53:10 EST

From: Wayne Glowka wglowka[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]GC3.GAC.PEACHNET.EDU

Subject: Re: 3 Lexicographic Queries



CAKEWALK: I remember this to be a sort of glorified musical chairs activity

with

cakes as prizes, typically played at a school or church function; dictionaries

call it a dance competition. What do you think it is?



Literally: Several months ago I went to a fall fair at a primary school in

Tenille, Georgia, where one of the activities was a CAKEWALK. Numbered

squares were on the sidewalk arranged in a circle. Music was played and

the contestants walked until the music stopped. A number, I believe, was

drawn, and the person standing on that number won a cake. Articles in the

newspaper often reminisce about cakewalks in the dim past--often with

reference to the African-American portion of the community.



Figuratively: A CAKEWALK is any task that exceptionally easy to accomplish.





Wayne Glowka

Professor of English

Director of Research and Graduate Student Services

Georgia College

Milledgeville, GA 31061

912-453-4222

wglowka[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]gc3.gac.peachnet.edu

BITNET Address: Wglowka[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]USCN