Author Topic: Molasses Can/Sruup Pitchers (Read 3271 times)

chearn · « **on:** February 14, 2006, 03:04:12 PM »

Good Morning:

I'm in the process of preparing an educational program for our local glass collecting group. The topic I have selected is Molasses Cans, "aka" Syrup Pitchers. I have a collection of 65 pieces which will be the reference part of my presentation. The collection is from the 1880 to about 1915 time period and mainly in colour and is American pressed or mould blown glass.

My question; I have never understood why the have been refered to as cans. Cans when I think about the word leaves me with the idea that they should be made of metal not glass. Recently I have thought it was maybe just a short form for the word containers, molasses containers.

Here come the curve. I have just looked over a copy of the Pressed Glass Collectors Club publication which has reprinted the pages from George Davidson's & Co. #1 and 2 catalogues. On page 11 there is a reprint of half pint handled drinking mugs and the page is headed up as "CANS". Now I have to think that is it not just a short form for the word containers, there must be some additional meaning. If anyone can clarify the use of the word Cans in glass terminology I would appreciate the helping hand.

Thank You

Carl Hearn

Della · « **Reply #1 on:** February 14, 2006, 03:19:52 PM »

I was always of the impression that the word can/s, was a shortened version of the word Canister/s.

Lustrousstone · « **Reply #2 on:** February 14, 2006, 04:32:52 PM »

In Merriam-Webster's Collegiate dictionary (US) the first definition of can is a 'usually' cylindrical receptacle; the second definition is a vessel for holding liquids, specifically a drinking vessel. Middle English from the Old English canne. Metal is not mentioned till the 4th and 5th definitions

But in the Oxford dictionary, can is now specifically a cylindrical METAL container.

So your molasses pitchers use the first US meaning and the Davidson catalogue the seond, which is no longer in UK dictionaries.

An interesting evolution of language

Pinkspoons · « **Reply #3 on:** February 14, 2006, 04:34:21 PM »

Or possibly Canteen...?

Ivo · « **Reply #4 on:** February 14, 2006, 04:35:10 PM »

Most likely from the Dutch word for pitcher or jug: KAN. A "Kan" is also a standard measure of liquid

Lustrousstone · « **Reply #5 on:** February 14, 2006, 04:38:41 PM »

Kan, kanne (German), can - they're all related. From the Oxford dictionary: 'either of germanic origin or from the Late Latin canna'.

pamela · « **Reply #6 on:** February 14, 2006, 05:46:14 PM »

seonded!

" Kanne " in German always has got a handle and it is larger than a "KÃ¤nnchen" which would be a creamer

Not always it goes with a lid, but we also say Kaffeekanne and Teekanne - (coffee and tea) - lidded of course :wink:

Glen · « **Reply #7 on:** February 14, 2006, 08:04:59 PM »

Sowerby's catalogs from the late 1800s show many CANS. They are handled drinking vessels. We'd call them glass mugs (or even tankards) today.

Glen

Adam · « **Reply #8 on:** February 14, 2006, 10:21:27 PM »

The few remaining handled drinking vessels still being made at Sowerbys when I was there in the 1950s were still called cans. I never understood it either!

Adam D.