jerry can

Or jer·ry·can,

[jer-ee kan]

noun

1. Also called blitz can. Military.,  a narrow, flat-sided, 5-gallon (19-liter) container for fluids, as fuel.

2. British.,  a can with a capacity of 4½ imperial gallons (5.4 U.S. gallons or 20.4 liters).

jerry can

noun

1. a flat-sided can with a capacity of between 4.5 and 5 gallons used for storing or transporting liquids, esp motor fuel: originally a German design adopted by the British Army during World War II

Word History and Origins

Origin of jerry can¹

1940–45; apparently Jerry “German”; the British supposedly manufactured the can after a German prototype

Word History and Origins

Origin of jerry can¹

C20: from _Jerry