de moca

Galician

Etymology

Attested since 1812. From comer (“to eat”) de (“of”) moca (“flail's handle”), because neighbours used to help each other thrashing grain, being paid with a feast.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [deˈmɔkɐ]

Adverb

de moca

1. gratis, for free
   • 1812, Ramón González Senra, Carta recomendada:

     Quen quixer cebada é palla de moca para os seus cabalos de recreo, pagaraia, é senon que pete á outra porta

     Whoever wants rye and straw for free for his recreational horses, he must pay for it or else knock on another door

Usage notes

It has frequently a negative or cunning connotation, as it implies "at other's expenses".

Related terms

• de moca

References

• “moca” in Dicionario de Dicionarios da lingua galega, SLI - ILGA 2006–2013.
• “de moca” in Tesouro informatizado da lingua galega. Santiago: ILG.
• “de moca” in Álvarez, Rosario (coord.): Tesouro do léxico patrimonial galego e portugués, Santiago de Compostela: Instituto da Lingua Galega.