The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (205 page)

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There's no such thing as a FREE lunch

Originally a colloquial axiom in US economics, though now in general use. The proverb implies that you cannot get something for nothing.

1967
Moon is Harsh Mistress
xi.
‘Oh, “tanstaafl.” Means “There ain't no such thing as a free lunch.” And isn't,’ I added, pointing to a
FREE LUNCH
sign across the room, ‘or these drinks would cost half as much.’
1969
Newsweek
29 Dec. 52
I was taught .. the first and only law of economics: ‘There is no such thing as a free lunch.’
1971
New Yorker
25 Sept. 76
There is no such thing as a free lunch …The idea has proved so illuminating for environmental problems that I am borrowing it from its original source, economics.
1979
New York Times Mag.
9 Sept. 16
A theory which became popular in the late 1970's .. held that big effects could be produced by small actions. For example, a tax cut of $1 billion would raise the national income by $5 billion, increase the Government revenue by $2 billion, reduce unemployment and restrain inflation. This theorem was discovered written on the back of a napkin in a Mac-Donald's restaurant. That gave rise to the axiom ‘There ain't no such thing as a free lunch, but there is a cheap one.’
1979
Obsessions
xi.
There's no such thing as a free lunch. So, in return for your help, what do you ask?
1996
Washington Times
14 Aug. A18
Europeans are now learning some hard facts of life about socialized medicine: There's no such thing as a free lunch.