"You want to have your cake AND eat it, too"

This has to be one of the most misused AND most annoying expressions in the English language.

I just find it drives me crazy when people use this expression without really understanding
what it means. I mean I've been told countless times that I want to have my cake and eat it, too-when it doesn't even apply.
For example, if I remark-I hope that someday I am really successful and have a big house (under pressure I could not think of a *real* example)...only to be responded with-'You want your cake....-" but what this person really means--is "you want it all" or "you are not content with your current situation".

BUT that's not what "YOu want to have your cake and eat it, too" really means. What it does mean-is you want to have it both ways. Ie, you want to go out and party the night before your exam and do well the next day when you write it. OR you want to buy that gorgeous top and you want to save your money. I mean being told that I want to have my cake would make sense had I said-I want to be successful and have a big house but not have to work a day in my life for it..........

Another thing is-people hear that expression and say-well, of course I want to have my cake and eat it-Assuming that the cake is some real tangible thing sitting in front of you and why can't you eat it...But that's not the case-it's just a matter of wanting it all without having to compromise.

Just thought I'd share...

Now gotta go......eat some cake =)