If you know your idioms, you know that a “gravy train” can be a sweet place to be. This expression refers to a job or situation that provides easy money with little or no effort. By definition, “gravy train” means “a much exploited source of easy money,” as in, “He’s been riding the gravy train ever since joining that startup.”
The idiom is typically used to suggest that the rewards might not be entirely deserved, or that something questionable is happening behind the scenes. But it can also simply mean that someone is being well paid for relatively little effort. So, when did a metaphorical train come into the picture?
The phrase “gravy train” lacks a well-documented origin, but several sources suggest that it originated among railway workers in the early 20th century. Since “gravy” was already slang for “easy money” or “something easy,” the term “gravy train” likely described a short-haul railway job that paid well. Over time, it evolved into the broader idiom we use today for any situation that brings steady, effortless profit.
The word “gravy” itself can mean “something additional or unexpectedly pleasant or valuable,” as in, “This new gig is gravy!” While it’s unclear where or when this connection originated, it likely relates to the idea that gravy is a bonus or an enhancement to an already satisfying meal. But “gravy” isn’t only tied to money. In slang, you’ll hear it as a synonym for “fine,” “good,” or “awesome.” For instance: “It’s going to rain during the concert? That’s OK — it’s all gravy.”
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