- To sell very quickly and in large quantities.
Explanation
Origin
- Originated in the United States, dating back to the early 19th century.
- Hotcakes (or pancakes/griddlecakes) were popular items at fairs, church sales, and gatherings.
- They were made quickly and served hot, often eaten immediately.
- Their popularity and rapid consumption led to the phrase describing anything that sells out fast.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Flying off the shelves (Very common synonym)
- People are eating them up (Metaphorical, implies eager consumption/buying)
- Making bank (Focuses on the profit resulting from high sales)
Milder/Standard:
- Selling well
- Popular
- In demand
- Selling rapidly
More Formal:
- Experiencing high sales velocity
- Achieving rapid market penetration
- There is strong consumer demand for the product.
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal to neutral.
- Common in business contexts when discussing sales informally, but in a formal report, one might use experiencing high sales volume or selling rapidly.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Learners might be confused by the literal food item.
- Explain it's a comparison emphasizing speed and quantity of sales.
Examples
- The new smartphones are selling like hotcakes.
- Tickets for the concert sold like hotcakes as soon as they were released.
- Her homemade pies always sell like hotcakes at the bake sale.
Dialogue
Shop Owner A: How's the new line of sweaters doing?
Shop Owner B: Unbelievably well! They're selling like hotcakes. We've already had to reorder twice.
Shop Owner A: Wow, that's fantastic news! What do you think is the key?
Shop Owner B: Great design and a really good price point, I think.
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: The limited edition sneakers dropped this morning and sold like hotcakes! Gone in minutes. #sneakerhead #hype
- Post: Our new pumpkin spice candles are selling like hotcakes! Grab yours before they're gone! #fall #candles #bestseller
- News Headline Snippet: ...latest gaming console continues to sell like hotcakes despite supply chain issues...
Response Patterns
This is usually a statement of fact or observation.
Responses often express surprise, impressiveness, or relate to the demand.
- Wow, really?
- That's amazing!
- I knew they'd be popular!
- Better get one quick then!
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After hearing something is selling like hotcakes:
- Asking why it's so popular: What's so special about them?
- Discussing availability: Are there any left?
- Deciding to buy one quickly: I should probably order mine now.
Conversation Starter
- No.
- Describes the sales performance of a product or item.
Intonation
- Stress usually falls on sell(ing) and hotcakes.
- Often said with excitement or emphasis on the speed and volume of sales.
- They're SELLING like HOTCAKES!
Generation Differences
- Widely understood and used across all generations.
Regional Variations
- Common across all major English-speaking regions.