Lemon (automotive sense) -- OED has a 1931 cite "Used Auto Problems Grow Acute" California | Oakland | The Oakland Tribune | 1923-03-11 p. O-7, col 1. "In one city the used car department, separate from the salesrooms of a prominent dealer, disposed of a used car for S300 and the manager of that department congratulated himself upon having rid himself of a "lemon" finally. "