TANSTAAFL

tanstaafl English Alternative forms en tanstaafl en TINSTAAFL there is no such thing as a free lunch Etymology Acronym, originating in the early 20th century, and popularized by Robert A. Heinlein Robert Heinlein's novel The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress. Phrase phr en there ain't no such thing as a free lunch : something advertised as being "free" will invariably have hidden costs. en 1966 w:Robert Heinlein w:The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress "Gospodin," he said presently, "you used an odd word earlier--odd to me, I mean...""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 room, "or these drinks would cost half as much. Was reminding her that anything free costs twice as much in long run or turns out worthless." en 1985 w:Lance Parkin The Infinity Doctors 229 'Tanstaafl. There ain't no such thing as a free lunch. We both know that I was brought here for a reason. If we could get down to business.' en 1985 Economic Statecraft National Power and Economic Statecraft https://books.google.com/books?id=1tgP1Zi7kwwC&pg=PA140 David Allen Baldwin 9780691101750 140 The TANSTAAFL principle applies to all techniques of statecraft, not just the economic ones. en 2015 Sound System Design and Optimization Calibration https://books.google.com/books?id=tFf__BD16EcC&pg=PT440 Bob McCarthy 9781136123900 433 The TANSTAAFL principle will come into play with each implementation of a calibration setting. There are no effects without side-effects. An improvement at one location will change others. Further reading there ain't no such thing as a free lunch