I always heard this expression used as a euphemism for “really easy”. Turns out, I think this is some sort of southern and/or baptist tradition? Anybody got the dope on what a cakewalk is/entails?
I hope I have this correct . . .
A “cakewalk” was a dance contest held primarily by blacks in the late 19th-century; the prize being a cake. Later, it became known as a dance, with a very high step—knees up! It became popular in the early ragtime period (c1890–1910), a precursor to the one-s
I could only guess why the meaning changed to “something simple.”
It was an African American tradition at weddings and other celebrations to hold a parade of sorts where the couple with the most interesting or entertaining steps were awarded a cake as a prize.
Why this is considered the epitomy of non-difficulty, I don’t know. My 1996 Webster’s doesn’t even include the “easy task” definition although I’ve heard the word used in that context.
From Merriam-Webster dictionary, courtesy of http://www.onelook.com/ (a very nifty site)–
Main Entry: cake·walk
Pronunciation: 'kAk-"wok
Function: noun
Date: 1879
1 : a black American entertainment having a cake as prize for the most accomplished steps and figures in walking
2 : a stage dance developed from walking steps and figures typically involving a high prance with backward tilt
3 a : a one-sided contest b : an easy task
- cakewalk intransitive verb
- cake·walk·er noun
It’s usually used in conversation as (3b) an easy task.
Like looking up a word on the Internet–didn’t have to get out of my chair and haul the Webster’s Unabridged off the shelf. 
“Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast!” - the White Queen
Hmmmm. A cakewalk was a circle of numbers that you walked around while music played at my church’s plant fair every year. While the music was playing someone else would draw a number. The person standing on the number won a cake. I won 13 cakes one year. My mom made me give most of them away. 
In my childish mind, I thought we just live on cake for a week or so. Anyway, I always thought that’s what that meant because it was really easy.
I still se SoMoMom’s version at craft shows now, they are good fund raisers and easy to do, to win, to understand. I’m sure the other version came first but this second one is probably the only one you’ll still see being done today.
Are you driving with your eyes open or are you using The Force? - A. Foley
Yup, we did those at school fairs. Masking tape circle on the floor with numbers, everyone stands on a number, and then shuffles around the circle as the music plays. Music stops, they call a number, give that lucky slob a cake. The bastard.
Can you tell I never won?
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I have over 2000 posts, dammit! Show some respect.
O p a l C a t
www.opalcat.com