Gravy train
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other uses, see Gravy train (disambiguation).
"Gravy train" is an idiomatic expression that is used to refer to any lucrative endeavour.[1]
The word "gravy" by itself was used prior to the invention of the phrase "gravy train" as an interjection of pleasure at something that's easy to do with a great reward, or as an adjective to describe such a situation, à la 'cushy'. An easy task.
In politics, "gravy train" refers to a depraved gorging on luxuries, since someone else foots the bill.
[edit] External links and references
- Michael Quinion "in the Courier of Connellsville (also in Pennsylvania) in November 1895, almost two decades before the previously oldest known example: Johnston claims that Reuben Nelson and another tall negro were in New Haven the night of the escape and that they broke into the lockup. Johnson further states that the next day Kelson laughingly told him that the New Haven lockup was "a gravy train." "
- George Michael's song "Round Here" from the album Patience starts with the line "My daddy got here on the gravy train"[2]
- Pink Floyd uses the expression "Gravy Train" in their song "Have A Cigar"[3].
- Ian Brown's song 'The Gravy Train' features on his 'Music of the Spheres' album. Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie on the Simple Life, a guy remarkes, "now girls the gravy train is over with"
