soul cake

Meaning

Noun

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

Origin

• Probably from Middle English souel, souvel, suvel, from Old English sufel, sufol, from Proto-Germanic *suflą ("entremets, viands"), from Proto-Indo-European *seu-, *sew-. + cake. The practice of begging for a soul cake is related to begging for condiments (sowl or soul) from wealthy neighbours, with a Christian re-interpretation.