fruitcake

[ froot-keyk ]

noun

1. a rich cake containing dried or candied fruit, nuts, etc.
2. Slang. a crazy or eccentric person; nut.

fruitcake

/ ˈfruːtˌkeɪk /

noun

1. a rich cake containing mixed dried fruit, lemon peel, nuts, etc
2. slang.
   a person considered to be eccentric or insane

Word History and Origins

Origin of fruitcake¹

First recorded in 1840–50; fruit + cake

Idioms and Phrases

see nutty as a fruitcake .

Example Sentences

Not a Scottish shortbread or jam tart or fruitcake slice.

From Literature

We are not a fruitcake family and I am not a fruitcake fan.

From Salon

"Experts say that fruitcake was started clear back in ancient Egypt. And in Roman times, they fed soldiers that because it lasted forever, because sugar is a preservative."

From Salon

For many monastic communities, especially those devoted to contemplative life and with vows of poverty, producing cookies, fruitcakes, even beer for sale is the only means to keep the lights on.

From Seattle Times

The per unit costs of a full turkey dinner with gravy and rolls, fruitcake and eggnog is approximately $9.77 per person: arguably a reasonable price to overindulge with those you love.

From Salon

Related Words

• fanatic
• fiend
• freak
• looney
• lunatic
• zealot