[Ads-l] Antedating of "Piece of Cake"

[ADSGarson O'Toole]

Fantastic citation, Bill. Below is a larger excerpt from the citation
you found. The column "Sandy's Dope" was commenting on an upcoming
boxing match between Jess Willard and Frank Moran at Madison Square
Garden.

The context suggested that the statement "Jabez Cross was on the right
trail when he declared two weeks ago that Moran was a piece of cake
for Willard" meant: Jabez Cross was correct when he declared two weeks
ago that Moran would be easily defeated by Willard.

Ultimately, Jess Willard successfully defended his World Heavyweight
title against Frank Moran on March 25, 1916. The fight was ten rounds.
Willard defeated Moran on points.

It would be nice to have some other early citations.

Date: March 21, 1916
Newspaper: Omaha World-Herald
Newspaper Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Article: Sandy's Dope
Quote Page 10, Column 3
Database: GenealogyBank

[Begin excerpt]
"Willard's generally improved physical condition, as well as his
improvement in boxing, have removed the doubt that existed as to his
right to wear the crown of champion. Everybody is beginning to look
upon him as a fighter worthy of the honors he won In Havana a year
ago, and it would be no surprise if he went into the ring an almost
prohibitive favorite; that is, odds of 2 1/2 or 3 to 1 will be had on
Moran. Not one is there who earlier declared great chances for the
challenger but who is now beginning to see nothing to the ten-round
bout but Willard."

Thus it comes to pass, that Jabez Cross was on the right trail when he
declared two weeks ago that Moran was a piece of cake for Willard.
[End excerpt]

Garson

On Sun, Feb 8, 2026 at 3:46 PM Bill Mullins <amcombill at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> 1916 Omaha World-Herald 21 Mar 10/3 [genealogybank]
>
> Thus it comes to pass, that Jabez cross was on the right trail when he declared two weeks ago that Moran was a piece of cake for Willard.
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org

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The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org