jerrycann.
/ˈdʒɛrɪkan/ A five-gallon (usually metal) container for petrol, water, etc., of a type first used in Germany and later adopted by the Allied forces in the war of 1939–45.
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society > occupation and work > equipment > receptacle or container > vessel > other specific vessels for holding liquids > [noun]
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jerrycan1943
1943 Hutchinson's Pict. Hist. War 17 Feb.–11 May 258 Mules carrying ‘jerricans’ to British troops... Jerricans are a special type of petrol container for transporting water.
1944 Times 25 Nov. 8/3 The Germans had a very efficient five-gallon petrol can. The Eighth Army captured some of the cans. They were sent back to England, and the British started manufacturing them. They were called jerricans.
1944 G. Netherwood Desert Squadron xii. 118 The well known Jerry boat, the canvas and leather affair, was soon put into active service by our men and also the petrol container known as the ‘Jerrycan’.
1955 M. E. B. Banks Commando Climber v. 87 We counted our burden of spuds a privilege in comparison to the jerrycan of red wine which was foisted on to one unfortunate.
1958 Punch 9 July 60/2 It [sc. sea-water] is collected each week..and rushed to Paris in white plastic jerricans.
1969 New Yorker 4 Oct. 55/1 Foreigners flying into Biafra now bring their own food and, if the pilot permits it, their own gasoline in jerry cans.
1972 D. Haston In High Places x. 109 Water is the only problem: you have to bring big jerry~cans in from Cassis.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1976; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
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n.1943