4 ms·
It's more like free as in a car. Puppies don't generally provide significant utility as such, even though dogs are adorable, have great intangible benefits, etc
by humanrebar 5y ago
It's more like free as in a car. Puppies don't generally provide significant utility as such, even though dogs are adorable, have great intangible benefits, etc.
A car requires maintenance, upkeep, fuel, insurance, certification (a license), registration, and other things. But a free car has a lot of value assuming it works. Even then, some people can't afford even a free car.
- accountofme 5y agoI'm sorry to say this but you are uninformed. Dogs have immense utility! These days yes they are generally house pets but they greatly improve mental health and love you unconditionally. Dogs are also used as ratters, herders, and as protection for livestock from predators like foxes or lions (depending on where you live...). So much so, some working dogs can go for 50k in Australia! Dogs require upkeep in the form of food, water, vaccinations, training and toileting. As such the description "free as in puppies" is apt. Have a good day :)
- humanrebar 5y agoFor the purposes of communicating with larger audiences, I'm assuming the general experience with dogs, which is typically as a house pet. You're correct that a free working dog is a different scenario, but qualifying the idiom loses something. I don't see "free as in puppies suitable for work you can make practical use of" catching on. I am a dog person, for what it's worth.