Definitions
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- initialism idiomatic
There ain't no such thing as a free lunch ; something advertised as being "free" will invariably have hidden costs.
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
Support
Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word TANSTAAFL.
Examples
-
The acronym TANSTAAFL was used by Robert Heinlein, the science fiction writer, in his 1966 novel,
Home/News John Feehery 2009
-
But then I think that most people who cite TANSTAAFL have never read “Mistress”, have no understanding that it applies only in a closed system, and are still looking for their own free lunches.
-
Wealthy taxpayers must have gotten their gains at someone else's expense, since TANSTAAFL.
-
» Heinlein on national health care: TANSTAAFL heinleinblog heinleinblog
» Heinlein on national health care: TANSTAAFL heinleinblog 2009
-
But then I think that most people who cite TANSTAAFL have never read “Mistress”, have no understanding that it applies only in a closed system, and are still looking for their own free lunches.
-
I thought of TANSTAAFL when he said that and wonder if he every read THAT book.
Live-blogging Obama's first press conference. Ann Althouse 2009
-
Somebody threw Bob Heinlein at me, so let me respond with him: TANSTAAFL.
Steal This Movie! Steven Barnes 2009
-
TANSTAAFL -- There ain't no such thing as a free lunch.
Moral Versus Legal Steve Perry 2009
-
"Heinlein Gets the Last Word" is Kurt Vonnegut's New York Times article on the literary importance of Heinlein and the uncut Stranger in a Strange Land (free registration required, or use our gift to you: username/password = heinlein100/TANSTAAFL).
July 2007 2007
-
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein - the concept known as TANSTAAFL, or "There ain't no such thing as a free lunch".
July 2007 2007
Comments
Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.