lazy Susan

Meaning

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

Synonyms

turntable

Etymology

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