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- If I knew you were coming, I'd have baked a ca
If I knew you were coming, I'd have baked a ca
If I knew you were coming, I'd have baked a cake
An expression of delighted surprise at finding someone whose appearance was unanticipated. The title of a 1950 hit record by Eileen Barton, the phrase quickly caught on, and for at least a decade thereafter anyone who appeared where least expected was likely to be greeted with “If I knew you were coming, I'd have baked a cake.”