babycakes

noun

ba·​by·​cakes ˈbā-bē-¦kāks 

informal

: sweetheart

"A hundred bucks, Babycakes! In one night!" He popped the french fry into his mouth. "Think you can handle that?"

—Armistead Maupin, Tales of the City, 1978

Word History

Etymology

baby entry 1 + cake entry 1 + -s, suffix of hypocoristic nouns used in address, as Babs, Fats, Toodles

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined above

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

1. Expanded definitions
2. Detailed etymologies
3. Advanced search tools
4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now