Meaning of soul cake | Babel Free

Definitions

A cake seasoned with spices or raisins given to beggars on All Soul's Eve (Halloween).

Examples

“All Souls' Day was celebrated by souling, a custom going back to pre-Reformation days: soul cakers and mummers toured the village begging for a soul cake — a plain, round, flat cake seasoned with spices.”

“You tell them to say "A soul cake, a soul cake, I pray thee, good mistress, a soul cake", which is the old North Country refrain.”

“Begging at the door for candy grew from an ancient English custom of knocking at doors to beg for a “soul cake” in return for which the beggars promised to pray for the dead of the household.”

CEFR level