- In the used car market, there are good cars and lemons.
lemon
noun;
A defective but apparently fine car that is sold in a used car market, usually exhibiting problems shortly after its purchase. ('the deceptive dealer sells lemons at a high price') Like a real lemon, lemon cars make people's life sour. The term is sometimes extended to mean a new car with defects, or any product that is faulty.
Etymology : from Middle English lymon, from Middle French limon, from Medieval Latin limon-, from Arabic laymun
Source : Economics lecture
Last modified: 10 June 2008