Quote:
Cost of lunch

Sir - The warning that, in economics, there's no such thing as a free lunch, which you attribute to J K Galbraith (Business, May 1) is most often associated with Milton Friedman, but originates in a novel by Robert Heinlein, The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress.

The acronym TANSTAAFL ("There ain't no such thing as a free lunch") comes in a passage in which Heinlein tells his guest, pointing to the "Free Lunch" sign: "Anything free costs twice as much in the long run or turns out worthless." He added: "TANSTAAFL - the drinks here cost twice as much as normal."

Robin Stafford, Goudhurst, Kent