..free lunch precursor..?

[GSCole]

The following presents a possible precursor for the "There's no such
thing as a free lunch" statement, in 1892.

The MOA database at the U. of Michigan contains:  "These places are not
at all 'free lunches'"

http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/m/moajrnl/pageviewer?frames=1&coll=moa&view=75&root=mm000066%2F1387over%2Fv0020%2Fi120&tif=05730563.tif&cite=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hti.umich.edu%2Fcgi%2Fm%2Fmoajrnl%2Fmoajrnl-idx%3Fnotisid%3DAHJ1472-1387OVER-84
========================

Also, in 1855, a history of California mentions a place that opened in
1852, and set out "an inviting free lunch" daily.

http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=moa&cc=moa&sid=d34c6a82caf4b5f9&q1=free%20lunch&seq=00000656&idno=AGW1490.0001.001

Correct, the OED note provides a quote from 1854, but it appears that
the concept was noted prior to that time.  A good target for Barry.

George S. Cole   gscole at ark.ship.edu
Shippensburg University