Why is shortcake as in strawberry called short cake?

Shortcake was originally called "short cake" because it is made with a dough that is shortened with butter or lard. The word "short" in this context means "crumbly" or "friable." This type of dough is called a "shortcrust pastry" and it is used in a variety of other baked goods, such as pie crust and biscuits.

Shortcakes are typically made by layering fresh fruit, such as strawberries or peaches, between layers of shortcake dough. The cake is then baked until the dough is golden brown and the fruit is warm and juicy. Shortcakes are often served with whipped cream or ice cream.