Why do we say "Keep Your Eyes Peeled"?

Well-Known Expressions

Keep Your Eyes Peeled

Meaning:

Be alert

Background:

Keep your eyes skinned or keep your eyes peeled is believed to be a reference to certain fruits or vegetables that improve if peeled - e.g. oranges. Although probably not the first use, in 1853, The Daily Morning Herald in St Louis wrote, "Young man! Keep your eye peeled when you are after the women".

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