Dumb Waiter

[Fairy Nuff]

By what two word term is a 'dumbwaiter' known in the USA?

[Dsg]

It wouldn't be George Bush would it ?

[Quizmonster]

In the USA, a Lazy Susan is one form of dumb waiter...ie the circular one which stands on a dining-table and holds salt, pepper and other bits and bobs. It can swivel around so that everyone has access to the items on it. The more common use of the phrase 'dumb waiter' in Britain is to the sort of miniature lift-device used to move food etc from a kitchen on one floor to a dining-room on another. We actually got the name 'dumb waiter' in this sense FROM America.

[Cetti]

Strangely, this very same question was asked on another site and the reply was given by an American who said he only knew this as - dumb waiter and not by any other name.

[Janetx]

"Silent Servant"

[yankeepeg]

I would have to agree with Cetti's comment. I have lived in the USA (from the East coast to the West coast) my entire life and have never heard a dumbwaiter referred to as anything else. I have seen/used a Lazy Susan, but it is no more similar to a dumbwaiter than a pitcher is to a well. By the way, George Bush would NOT qualify as a dumbwaiter because, in this instance, 'dumb' refers to silence as opposed to stupidity. George is much too vociferous to be considered 'dumb'. I do, however, reserve the right to refuse comment on his intellect (or lack thereof).

[Quizmonster]

The earliest-recorded use of the phrase 'dumb waiter' in print was in England in 1749, when Cleland wrote - as part of a description of a dining-table - "A bottle of Burgundy with the other necessaries were set on a dumb waiter." It's clear, therefore, that what Americans now call a Lazy Susan was ORIGINALLY called a Dumb Waiter. That usage preceded the lift-mechanism idea, which was never mentioned in print - this time in the USA - until about 100 years later. So, Fairy Nuff, if this is a quiz-question you need a two-word answer to, I'd certainly go for 'Lazy Susan'. Cheers.