ATDTDA Vanderjuice's pay (34) // a nice circumlocution (146)

[David Morris]

I had to look up the other than normal use of "gratuitous," because,
although I know about gratuities, I usually think of gratuitous
meaning more "unnecessary and unjustifiable" as in a gratuitous
remark.  It's funny how differently this word can be used.  Its
negative connotation came later.  See below.

http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=gratuitous

1656, "freely bestowed," from L. gratuitus "free, spontaneous,
voluntary," from gratia "favor." Sense of "uncalled for, done without
good reason" is first recorded 1691.

On 4/3/07, mikebailey at speakeasy.net <mikebailey at speakeasy.net> wrote:
>
> p 146 "the famed Gratuitous Midday Repast" of course being the fabled and elusive free lunch, this one being no exception as the price includes the appetite-killing conversation...