Where Did the Term “Lemon” Come From and Why is it Used To Describe a Worthless Purchase?

Photo of author

Karen Hill

In 1910, the rotating slot machine appeared as a device for dispensing chewing gum and gave us the symbols still used on slot machines today.

The spinning flavors were cherry, orange, and plum.

Each wheel had a bar reading “1910 Fruit Gum,” and three of those in a row paid off in a jackpot of gum.

But, also like today, if any row came up a lemon there was no payout at all, which gave us the disappointed expression, “It’s a lemon.”

A disappointing purchase or investment is often called a “lemon”.

The term may also be a metaphor for something which “leaves a bad taste in one’s mouth.”

Related Posts

  1. Where Did Wooden Nickels Come From and Why Are the Wooden Coins so Worthless?
  2. Why is Lemon Often Served With Fish and Where Did the Practice come From Originally?
  3. Why Does Black Tea Lighten or Change Color When You Add Lemon Juice and What Causes the Chemical Change?
  4. How Did the Term “Late” Originate and Why is it Used to Describe the Recently Deceased?
  5. What Causes Fruit To Turn Brown When Cut and How Does Lemon Juice Stop Cut Apples and Pears From Browning?
  6. What Is the Best Way To Squeeze the Maximum Amount of Juice Out of a Lemon or Lime?