Are you about to finish a task you've done a million times before? When someone asks you how much effort you applied to get the result, you could reply with "easy peasy lemon squeezy." This idiom refers to the ease in handling a problem or specific task, and it's suitable for use in common informal conversations.
This post unpacks everything you need to know about the use of the phrase, its meaning, and its origin.
Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy Meaning
Easy peasy lemon squeezy is a colloquial expression, and the chances are you already use it yourself. Many people use this term to refer to a task that's easy to complete. Your mom might ask you to do the dishes because she has to go out to book club, and you reply with "easy peasy lemon squeezy."
The phrase can also refer to complex tasks that some people might find easy to do. For instance, two mechanics could be having a conversation about changing out a transmission in a Mercedes-Benz. The pair might be discussing something very technical, such as removing the clutch plate to access the transmission.
To end their conversation, the mechanics could say a list of what they have to do and finish with "we'll have it back to the customer by tomorrow, easy peasy lemon squeezy." The context surrounding the scenario for the use of the idiom plays a significant role in the impact of its use.
Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy Example Usage
"I can take care of that for you, easy peasy lemon squeezy."
"Sure, that's no problem, easy peasy lemon squeezy."
"Are you ready for this? It's easy peasy lemon squeezy."
"That job was easy peasy lemon squeezy."
"I aced that test; it was easy peasy lemon squeezy."
Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy Origin
Easy peasy was the first iteration of the phrase. The British film "The long voyage home," released in the 1940s, was its first appearance in mainstream modern culture. The phrase caught on in modern society, and people across the UK and even the US started using the phrase.
However, easy peasy would undergo a significant change after launching a marketing campaign by the British household detergent manufacturer "Sqezy." Sqezy was a popular cleaning detergent for doing the dishes in the UK, and it launched its marketing campaign with the catchphrase "easy peasy lemon squeezy."
The phrase referred to the detergents fast cleaning action and its lemon-scented fragrance that most of us know as the standard in washing up liquid today. The catchphrase caught on due to its phonetic appeal, with the rhyme of the phrase making it popular for people to repeat alongside the original "easy peasy."
Phrases Similar to Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy
- Easy as pie.
- Easy as cake.
- No problem.
- Not an issue.
Phrases Opposite to Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy
- That's a lot to ask.
- I don't think I can handle that.
- Not a chance.
What is the Correct Saying?
- Easy peasy lemon squeezy.
Ways People May Say Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy Incorrectly
Some people may use the phrase in professional situations where it makes them appear as if they don't take a serious approach to a request. Using the phrase if your boss asks you to complete a task at your corporate job might not be the best use of the phrase.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy
"Easy peasy lemon squeezy" suits use in conversations with family and friends. You could say it to your boss, but it might appear unprofessional. The phrase also suits use in lighthearted situations where someone is asking you for a small favor.