gravy time

n. a period of success, pleasure, or good results. Subjects: English, Slang

Editorial Note: Gravy, meaning “profit or benefit, especially if unexpectedly or easily obtained” is dated back to 1910 by the Historical Dictionary of American Slang. It also dates the adjective gravy, meaning “easy or cushy,” to 1917.

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Citations: 1946 Jean Reiff Washington Post (M3) (Sept. 29) “Part-Time Cabbies Face Legal Barrier”: Harrington said the regular drivers complain constantly because the part-time drivers come on the street during the rush hours, called “gravy time,” which run from 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. 1976 United States Senate Executive Sessions of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee p. 75: Allies are probably—effective allies; I do not mean just free riders who are just on the gravy time—are the most valuable thing you can have in a war, because it is somebody else getting killed instead of you. 1977 Florence Morning News (South Carolina) (Mar. 25) “Here We Go Again” p. 6: It’s gravy time in the 6th and 9th circuits. If the bill becomes law, vacancies will actually outnumber the candidates. 1985 Steve Marcus Newsday (Long Island, New York) (Sept. 10) “Mets Set to Deal With Cards 3-game series for East lead begins tonight” p. 118: Strawberry did miss five games against the Cardinals because of his thumb injury. “Now,” Strawberry said, “it is gravy time.” 2006 Suzette Porter @ Pinellas County Tampa Bay Newspapers (Sept. 27) “Florida fall fun highlighted at TBN online”: What many Floridians refer to as “gravy time” is here. Day and night temperatures are going down. The summer doldrums are past. It’s time to get out and have a little fun.

Posted 9 Oct 06 | Permalink | Tell a Friend