Elbert Hubbard? Dale Carnegie? Julius Rosenwald? Robert M. Hutchins? Anonymous?
Question for Quote Investigator: In the early 1900s the slang expression “handed a lemon” emerged. It referred to experiencing a setback or failure. The term “lemon” meant something which was bad, undesirable, or sub-standard. A humorous expression evolved as a counterpoint. Here are two versions:
(1) If you are handed a lemon then just make lemonade.
(2) When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
This notion has been attributed to U.S. aphorist Elbert Hubbard and to U.S self-help author Dale Carnegie. However, I have been unable to find a solid citation. Would you please explore the provenance of this saying?
Reply from Quote Investigator: Both Elbert Hubbard and Dale Carnegie did employ statements in this family of sayings, but neither originated the family. The earliest instances located by QI were anonymous. Here is an overview with dates:
1907 May: And if you get a lemon, why just make the lemonade. (Anonymous)
1907 Dec: An optimist is now defined as a man who can make lemonade out of all the lemons handed him. (Anonymous)
1908 Jun: If life hands you a lemon, adjust your rose colored glasses and start to selling pink lemonade. (Anonymous)
1908 Jul: He is a great man who accepts the lemons that Fate passes out to him and uses them to start a lemonade stand. (Elbert Hubbard)
1944 May: When life hands you a lemon, add some sugar and make lemonade. (Attributed to Elbert Hubbard)
1948: When you have a lemon, make a lemonade. (Attributed to Julius Rosenwald by Dale Carnegie)
1971 Oct: When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonade. (Bumper Sticker)
Below are details for selected citations in chronological order.
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