The Quarterly Journal of Economics 84, 488–500 (August 1970)

Lot

Two are sound. Two are lemons. Buyers see only the average.

Akerlof, 1970

Hidden quality can wreck a market

If buyers cannot tell a good car from a lemon, they will not pay a good-car price — and the good cars leave.

Hidden quality can wreck a market | Lesson Worlds