- English translation
Bless those sharp-eyed people who understand a hint—lemons for sale!
- Literal wording
May God welcome those possessed of pure insight, O lemons!
- Meaning and lesson
The saying praises a generous, perceptive person who recognizes an indirect appeal and responds without requiring the speaker to state a need openly.
Historically, it evokes a person concealing need behind the sale of lemons; this is an image of dignity and indirectness, not a claim about any group. The final call refers to lemons for sale, not to a named person.
- When it is used
Used historically when someone conveys a request obliquely, especially to avoid the humiliation of asking outright, and hopes that a considerate listener will grasp the implication and offer help without demanding a direct statement.
- Register
- colloquial
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
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