회전 테이블 - 게으른 수잔(Lazy Susan)

[석수]

중국집에서 흔히 보이는 회전 테이블

영어로 '게으른 수잔(Lazy Susan)

18세기 영국에서 ‘수전’이라는 이름의 하녀가 손님마다 일일이 서빙하기 싫어서 꾀를 내 고안했다는 설이 있어서 이런 이름이 붙었다고 한다


The name "Lazy Susan" likely originated from the desire to have a serving device that minimized the need for servants to pass dishes, potentially with a touch of sarcasm, as it was seen as a "lazy" way to serve.

While the exact origin of the name is unclear, it's believed to have become popular in the early 20th century, with an advertisement appearing in Vanity Fair in 1917.

Here's a more detailed look:

Early Use:

Rotating tables or trays, similar to lazy Susans, have been around for centuries, with some historians tracing their origins to 18th-century England and even earlier examples in China. These were often called "dumbwaiters" or used for serving tea and wine.

The Name:

The name "Lazy Susan" is thought to have emerged in the early 1900s, possibly as a way to describe a device that essentially replaced a human server, making the task "lazy".

Popularization:

The term gained traction in America, with advertisements in publications like Vanity Fair featuring the "Lazy Susan" as a convenient and stylish serving accessory.

Beyond Serving:

While initially associated with dining, lazy Susans have also found their way into kitchens and pantries, becoming popular for organizing spices, condiments, and other frequently used items.

Cultural Impact:

Lazy Susans are now a common feature in both Western and Eastern cultures, particularly in Chinese restaurants, where they are a standard part of the dining experience.

The origin of the "lazy susan" is somewhat mysterious, but it's believed to be a European invention, likely from England, dating back to the 1720s and 1730s. These early versions were often used for wine and tea tasting and were sometimes called "dumbwaiters," referring to their function of replacing a human server.

Here's a breakdown of the known information and some popular theories:

Early Evidence:

The earliest examples of rotating trays used for serving are from England in the early 18th century.

These were often pedestal tables with rotating tops, designed for convenience in serving and often used for wine and tea.

The term "dumbwaiter" was also used for these rotating trays, suggesting they were a way to avoid having a human server bring items to the table.

Theories about the name "Lazy Susan":

Thomas Jefferson:

Some accounts credit Thomas Jefferson with inventing or popularizing the lazy susan in America, perhaps after seeing a similar device in France.

"Dumbwaiter" connection:

The term "dumbwaiter" was used for these rotating trays, and the "lazy" part may have been added to reflect its convenience and the idea of replacing a servant.

Generic name:

The name "Susan" may have been chosen simply because it was a common name for women at the time, much like using "John" or "Mary" as generic names.

Sarcastic reference:

The "lazy" part may have been a sarcastic reference to the idea of a servant being lazy, though this is speculative.

Popularization in Chinese Restaurants:
In the mid-20th century, lazy Susans became a common feature in Chinese-American restaurants in the United States.

This likely contributed to the widespread adoption of lazy Susans and their association with Chinese cuisine, though they were not an original Chinese invention.

In Conclusion:

While the exact origin of the name "lazy susan" remains unclear, the device itself is believed to have originated in Europe, likely in the 18th century, as a convenient way to serve food and drinks. The name likely evolved from the term "dumbwaiter" and may have been influenced by the idea of replacing a servant with a convenient, rotating tray. The association with Chinese restaurants in the US popularized the lazy susan in a new context.

A lazy Susan is a turntable (rotating tray) placed on a table or countertop to aid in distributing food. Lazy Susans may be made from a variety of materials but are usually glass, wood, or plastic.

They are circular and placed in the centre of a table to share dishes easily among diners. Owing to the nature of Chinese cuisine, especially dim sum, they are common at formal Chinese restaurants both in mainland China and abroad.