The phrase “to hand someone a lemon” (i.e., something defective) dates to at least 1906. The phrase “If life hands/deals/gives you lemons, make lemonade” (i.e., make the best of a bad situation) became popular soon after 1906.
“Unless life also hands you water and sugar, your lemonade’s going to suck” is a jocular extension that has been printed on buttons, posters and also an ecard. The saying has been cited in print since at least 2005.
No Looking Backwards
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Variations on a Theme
You’ve all heard this one a thousand times:
When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.
I’ve always been partial to:
When life hands you lemons, make lemonade. But unless life also hands you water and sugar, that’s gonna be some suck-ass lemonade.
Twitter
michelenichols1
@michelenichols1
Unless life also hands you sugar and water, your lemonade is gonna suck.
7:38 PM - 2 Jan 2009
Twitter
Presepinisha Delemae
@Jaymz0608
Unless life also hands you water and sugar, your lemonade’s gonna suck.
7:42 PM - 24 Feb 2009
Folio Olio
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
HUMANS - GO FIGURE
(...)
Unless life also hands you water and sugar, your lemonade is gonna suck.
Google Books
Roadmap into a Twisted Mind
By Bruno Gagnon
Victoria, BC: FriesenPress
2014
Pg. 88:
Unless life also hands you sugar and water, your lemonade is going to suck.
Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.
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Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps. Stolen and missing, 2021-2024.
Above, John J. Fitz Gerald, from the Aug. 15, 1931, Binghamton (NY) Press, pg. 14.
Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce "The Big Apple," a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.
Also listen to a 1937 "The Big Apple" song by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra. See a 1929 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald and a 1931 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald.
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