a coined variation of the
phrase riding the gravy train, meaning exploiting a
job or
situation and receiving excessive, unjustified or undeserved advantages or
money with little or no
effort or
exchange. The
word gravy has been used since the early 1900s as a
slang word for easily, unexpectedly or illicitly obtained
money, and
riding the gravy train probably originated in railroad
slang during the early to mid-1900s when a gravy train or gravy
run meant an easy
run for the train
crew with good pay.