Cake and wine means: A restricted diet of bread and water, imposed as a disciplinary measure.. It is informal slang, fine in casual speech but not suited to formal contexts. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
cake and wine
(US, naval, _, slang) A restricted diet of bread and water, imposed as a disciplinary measure.
ˈkeɪk ənd ˈwaɪnDocumented since 1900s1900sSilenthistorical67 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026＋ Add a definition
Etymology timeline
Born ~1900 · no dated citations yet20th centurySee decade cohort →
Definitions
Global
#1·Apr 26, 2026Global
(US, naval, _, slang) A restricted diet of bread and water, imposed as a disciplinary measure.
For parents
Cake and wine means: A restricted diet of bread and water, imposed as a disciplinary measure.. It is informal slang, fine in casual speech but not suited to formal contexts. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
For ESL learners
cake and wine means: A restricted diet of bread and water, imposed as a disciplinary measure.. Register: very informal, slang. Suitable only for casual conversation, chat and social media. Do not use in business, academic or news writing. Common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; always check the context before producing it yourself.
Cluster: alcohol
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For specific readers
Why is this section here?
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.
See all Regional & Other slang on Slangora.
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Other words near "cake and wine" (C)
cai pngCairoCajun microwaveCajun navycakecake and arse partycake boycakedcake daycaked upcake-eatercakehole
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