An additional benefit or pleasant extra that makes a good situation even better; something that enhances an already satisfactory outcome.
This phrase emerged in the mid-20th century American English, drawing on the obvious appeal of cake icing as a sweet enhancement to an already desirable dessert. The metaphor captures how some pleasures are layered, with each addition making the whole experience more enjoyable.
What's delightful about this phrase is how it captures the psychology of bonus satisfaction - research shows that unexpected positive additions to good experiences create disproportionate happiness compared to the same additions received alone. The icing really does make the cake experience greater than the sum of its parts, both literally and metaphorically.
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