“They never pay interest and reap whatever rewards their credit card offers, whether it’s miles, cash back, or a free pony.”
In this context, what is the meaning of the expression “a free pony?”
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Sign up to join this community“They never pay interest and reap whatever rewards their credit card offers, whether it’s miles, cash back, or a free pony.”
In this context, what is the meaning of the expression “a free pony?”
Some words mean what they say and others have years of being used as metaphor. Others mean what they say but have cultural relevance, like 'free pony'.
A 'free pony' is a classic comedic finish. It's a poor child's dream of the most extravagant present ever, and it's a funny way of completing a list of things that should be considered wonderful and very hard to attain (or similarly, by other comedic techniques).
For example, suppose a politician promises some great economic benefit like 'jobs for everyone'. A 'they also promise a free pony with that', because frankly it's almost impossible to guarantee a job, you might as well promise something also unattainable like a pony. (Yes, I have drained all humor from this by the explanation).
The given sentence is trying to use the 'pony' pattern but with things that entitled rich people already get (because they can always pay off their credit card bills on time). That is a somewhat convoluted use of the trope and not necessarily the most canonical.
Urban Dictionary gives a similar idea but with the extra qualification that the gift is also a burden to maintain. I don't think that is what it means in general and certainly not what is intended in your example.