Screaming when you cut a birthday cake

[Cammel]

I remember me and my friends doing this as kids, but DH doesn't think it's a thing. Was it just my friends or does anyone else remember doing this?

Yes, always a thing at boarding school in 90s

Yes. Definitely a thing in the SW. 1980’s

Never heard of this. I think I would be very freaked out if someone started screaming when I knife was being used

Grew up 70s/80s never did this

We’ve always done it.
It’s the right and proper way to cut a birthday cake.

Yup- South Africa in the late 80s / early 90s

God really? Same-same and I've literally never heard of this!

Nope

No, never heard of that.

But… why?! What is it supposed to signify?

Foot on the table while you are cutting?? That must be a joke.

No and north of England 1980s

Everyone screams. Not just the one cutting the cake.

@TheLazyBeagle

But… why?! What is it supposed to signify?

For us, it was just part of the fun/excitement. Everyone sings happy birthday, birthday child blows out the candles and cuts the first slice and everyone does a fake scream/cheer.

Nope

Yes, Scotland in late 80s. I hated it and never did it myself.

Is this like the thing of smushing a handful of cake in your new spouses face at the wedding? I believe it's a Jewish thing? I could be wrong though!

@TheLazyBeagle

But… why?! What is it supposed to signify?

It doesn’t signify anything. It’s just what you do. In my day, the birthday-cake person would make a silent wish when they blow out the candles. Now everyone yells when the cake is cut. It’s Celebratory.

@OhFuckBloodyHell

No. Definitely not something I've ever encountered, I grew up in 80s/90s.

Those who do remember it, was screaming a normal thing to show excitement / whatever? Any hint of a scream from me or DB and we got a resounding 'Trago! That is enough! Calm down!' which may have something to do with it!

I do remember the screams being quite muted, I expect for exactly this reason - we weren’t really allowed to scream.

Wtf 😂 no never heard of it, that would have driven me crackers though

I have never even heard of this.

Glad it passed me by.

We never did this - 1980s NW.

DH did - 1980s London. Does seem from this thread to be a SE thing.

South London late 70s/80s kid. Never heard of this!! Is it a posh thing?

I’ve never heard of this and it sounds awful. I’d rather never eat cake again than have people scream as it was cut

In fact, I think I’d rather never eat again, full stop!

1980s London kid. I have...never heard of this?