"I do not want the boys running around the table like frightened chickens," Susan explained, sketching a diagram on a scrap of parchment. "I want the table to do the work. I want the food to rotate."
"Precisely," Susan said. "But for roast beef." why is it called lazy susan
The device was marketed as the solution to the "problem" of reaching. It allowed diners to serve themselves without the need for servants, which became increasingly important during the labor shortages of World War I and the changing social dynamics of the Jazz Age. "I do not want the boys running around
Before the term referred to small elevators, it described rotating trays or tiered tables used to replace waitstaff. The transition from "dumb" (meaning mute/silent) to "lazy" follows a similar linguistic path—both describe inanimate objects replacing human labor. "But for roast beef
If the device was already common, why did "Susan" become the face of it? Historians point to a few leading theories:
Although the term is Western, the device itself has deep roots in other cultures. In the 1950s, soy sauce manufacturer reintroduced ball-bearing versions to Chinese-American restaurants in San Francisco, leading to their global association with communal Chinese dining. Today, they are standard features in both professional kitchens and home cabinetry for maximizing corner space.
A week later, the device was finished. It was a beautiful circle of polished oak, silent and smooth.