lazy Susan

See also: lazy susan and Lazy Susan

English

Alternative forms

• Lazy Susan
• lazy susan

Etymology

Uncertain, but probably a generic name like Jane, in reference to the device replacing a servant at table. Earliest attestation the 1903 Boston Journal, which credits local carpenter John Laurie as "the resuscitator of 'Lazy Susan'". Almost certainly not named in 'honor' of Thomas Jefferson or Edison's daughters named Susan.

Noun

lazy Susan (plural lazy Susans)

1. A rotating tray (turntable) used on tables and counters for serving condiments or food.
2. A rotating set of shelves used to minimize inaccessible space, usually employed in corner kitchen cabinets.
   • 2002, Terrell Dixon, City Wilds: Essays and Stories about Urban Nature, page 279:

     The “ant-proof cooler” was a small larderlike cupboard in the kitchen, with a circular metal shelving unit, a series of round trays which revolved like a lazy Susan.

3. (finance) Synonym of round trip (“form of barter involving selling and buying back”)

Synonyms

• self-waiting table
• serviette
• butler's assistant
• muffin stand

Translations

lazy Susan

• Basque: erretilu birakari
• Chinese: 餐桌轉盤／餐桌转盘
• Finnish: pyörivä tarjotin, pyörivä tarjoilualusta
• Galician: torno (gl) m
• German: Drehplatte f, Drehteller m
• Kazakh: please add this translation if you can
• Persian: please add this translation if you can
• Polish: taca obrotowa f
• Portuguese: bandeja giratória f
• Romanian: carusel (ro) n
• Russian: поворо́тный подно́с m (povorótnyj podnós), крутя́щий подно́с m (krutjáščij podnós)
• Spanish: tabla giratoria f, bandeja giratoria f, bandeja de rotatoria f, estante giratorio m
• Swedish: snurrbricka c, vändskiva (sv) c