What is a Lazy Susan? Uncover the intriguing history behind this spinning tray and the curious origins of its name.

If your home has a corner cabinet, there's a good chance a Lazy Susan is hidden inside. Maybe it sits at the center of your dining table, or you’ve spun one around to grab a delicious dish while dining at a round table in a restaurant. But what exactly is a Lazy Susan, and why does it have such an unflattering name?

No matter where you find one, the Lazy Susan is arguably the most mysterious name among household appliances. We don’t call a tissue box 'Tissue Tim' or a blender 'Blender Bill.' So, how did the Lazy Susan come by its peculiar title?

In this article, we’ll finally give the Lazy Susan the recognition it deserves for its role in enhancing both our organizational skills and dining experiences. Additionally, we’ll attempt to uncover the origins of the somewhat unkindly name 'Lazy Susan.'

How a Lazy Susan Works

Let’s start by examining how the rotating tray functions. Lazy Susans are circular discs that spin on a set of bearings underneath. These rotating platforms can be made from a variety of materials, such as wood, plastic, glass, or marble. Commercially available models typically come in even-numbered diameters, with the most common sizes ranging from 12 to 48 inches (30 to 122 centimeters).

A small Lazy Susan is commonly used to store condiments and silverware, making them easily accessible to diners. They’re also effective at managing kitchen clutter. In some homes and restaurants, a larger Lazy Susan, typically at least 22 inches (56 centimeters) in diameter, is placed in the center of the table to hold dishes that can be rotated for everyone to access.

Why is a Tray called Lazy Susan?

Though the true origins of the term 'Lazy Susan' remain unclear, there’s a plausible theory behind the name. 'Susan' was a popular generic name in the 18th century, often used by employers to refer to their female servants.

"Laziness was a frequent accusation against servants at the time, so 'Lazy Susan' likely became a commonly used term from the 18th century," stated Markus Krajewski, a professor of media history at the University of Basel, Switzerland, and author of "The Server: A Media History from the Present to the Baroque," in an article for Architectural Digest article.

In the two decades preceding World War I, technological innovations began replacing manual labor, such as with the introduction of the ringer washing machine and similar inventions. The cost of hiring servants became too high for some households.

As rotating wooden trays began appearing in kitchens and dining rooms, replacing the need for household servants, the term 'Lazy Susan' likely emerged as a blend of both a reference to idle workers and the replacement of human labor by technology, according to Krajewski.

Other Theories Behind the Name of Rotating Trays

There are alternative theories as well, though most experts agree that this common household item likely didn’t have a single inventor or a singular namesake. Some claim Thomas Jefferson invented the Lazy Susan in the 18th century, supposedly naming it after his daughter. The story suggests that his daughter Susan disliked being the last one served at the dinner table, inspiring Jefferson to create the rotating tray.

The issue with this tale is that Thomas Jefferson doesn’t appear to have had a daughter named Susan. Other theories attribute the invention to Thomas Edison, with the belief that the turntable he created for his phonograph eventually led to the creation of the Lazy Susan.

Despite the uncertain origins of its name, the Lazy Susan was permanently embedded in American culture in 1917, when a Vanity Fair advertisement promoted a rotating round tray called a Lazy Susan. It turns out that the name may have been coined by an anonymous copywriter looking to boost holiday sales.

Is the Term 'Lazy Susan' Sexist or Racist?

Recently, the question has arisen as to whether the term carries any sexist or racist connotations, given its historical context. Even characters on Curb Your Enthusiasm engaged in a comedic argument over whether the term was inappropriate.

The word 'lazy' in the name might imply a device designed to take the place of a servant without requiring the effort of a human server, making it a 'lazy' solution. This interpretation could potentially be seen as subtly derogatory or sexist, depending on one's point of view.

On the other hand, there’s no direct link between the term 'Lazy Susan' and any particular racial or ethnic group. The device itself is believed to have originated in various cultures, possibly in early 20th century America or even in Chinese restaurants, but the name doesn’t reference any specific racial or ethnic background.

Today, the term is widely used without any intention to offend, and most people simply view it as a common household item.