johnny

– cake. n.

The name is of American origin, originally given by the negroes to a cake made ofIndian corn (maize). In Australia it is a cake baked on theashes or cooked in a frying-pan. (See quotations.) The nameis used in the United States for a slightly different cake,viz. made with Indian meal and toasted before a fire.

1861. Mrs. Meredith, `Over the Straits,' p. 154:

«The dough-cakes fried in fat, called `Johnny-cakes.'»

1872. C. H. Eden, `My Wife and I in Queensland,' p. 20:

«Johnny-cakes, though they are smaller and very thin, and madein a similar way [sc. to dampers: see Damper]; wheneaten hot they are excellent, but if allowed to get cold theybecome leathery.»

1885. H. Finch-Hatton, `Advance of Australia,' p. 3:

«Johnny-cakes are made with nothing but flour, but there is agreat art in mixing them. If it is done properly they areabout the lightest and nicest sort of bread that can be made;but the efforts of an amateur generally result in a wet heavypulp that sticks round one's teeth like bird-lime.»

1890. `The Argus,' Aug. 16, p. 13, col. 1:

«Here I, a new chum, could, with flour and water and a pinchof baking-powder, make a sweet and wholesome johnny cake.»

1892. Mrs. Russell, `Too Easily Jealous,' p. 273 :

«Bread was not, and existed only in the shape of johnny-cakes – – flat scones of flour and water, baked in the hot ashes.»

1894. `The Argus,' March 10, p. 4, col. 6:

«It is also useful to make your damper or `Johnny-cake,' whichserves you in place of yeast bread. A Johnny-cake is madethus: – – Put a couple of handfuls of flour into your dish, with agood pinch of salt and baking soda. Add water till it works toa stiff paste. Divide it into three parts and flatten out intocakes about half an inch thick. Dust a little flour into yourfrying-pan and put the cake in. Cook it slowly over the fire,taking care it does not burn, and tossing it over again andagain. When nearly done stand it against a stick in front ofthe fire, and let it finish baking while you cook the othertwo. These, with a piece of wallaby and a billy of tea, are asweet meal enough after a hard day's work.»