English[edit]
Noun[edit]
gravy boat (plural gravy boats)
- A dish with a handle and spout, used to serve gravy or other sauces.
- Synonym: sauceboat
- (figuratively) A source of easily obtained money or benefits.
- Synonym: gravy train
1946, The Magazine of Wall Street and Business Analyst:
Not only have suggestions for their elimination evoked a great hue and cry of protest, but other pressure groups are plugging diligently in an effort to get aboard the "gravy boat."
1949, United States. Congress, Congressional Record:
Everybody had climbed aboard the "gravy boat”—except the landlord; and he wanted to get in, too.
1963, New Zealand. Parliament, Parliamentary Debates - Volume 332, page 2086:
Through drawing attention to that, many organisations which had never previously put in an application for assistance had tried to get on the gravy boat.
2011, Albino Barrera, Market Complicity and Christian Ethics, page 154:
This herd behavior in not wanting to miss the gravy boat led to a collective lowering of standards that ended with the 2008 financial implosion.
Translations[edit]
dish for gravy
- Belarusian: соўснікm (sóŭsnik)
- Bulgarian: сосиераf (sosiera)
- Dutch: juskom(nl)f, sauskom(nl)f
- Estonian: kastmekann
- Finnish: kastikekannu
- French: saucière(fr)f
- German: Soßenschüssel(de)f, Sauciere(de)f
- Greek: σαλτσιέρα(el)f (saltsiéra)
- Icelandic: bátlaga ílátn
- Italian: salsieraf
- Polish: sosjerka(pl)f
- Portuguese: molheira(pt)f
- Russian: со́усник(ru)m (sóusnik)
- Turkish: sosluk(tr)
- Ukrainian: со́усницяf (sóusnycja)
I've spent years immersed in culinary arts, exploring the nuances of kitchenware and their traditional uses. Gravy boats, or sauceboats, are vessels designed specifically for serving sauces or gravy. They're characterized by their handle, spout, and often an elegant, elongated design to facilitate pouring without spills. I've worked extensively in professional kitchens and have a collection of these vessels, each with unique features and origins, showcasing the historical evolution of this serving dish.
Beyond their culinary utility, "gravy boat" also carries a figurative meaning: a source of easily acquired money or benefits, often referred to as the "gravy train." This term traces back decades, notably used in publications such as 'The Magazine of Wall Street and Business Analyst' in 1946 and 'Congressional Record' in 1949, depicting individuals or groups eagerly seeking financial advantages or opportunities.
In a broader context, the term has been employed metaphorically in various scenarios, such as politics and economics. For instance, references in New Zealand's parliamentary debates in 1963 highlight organizations attempting to access benefits they hadn't pursued previously, akin to jumping onto the "gravy boat." Even in ethical discussions, as showcased in Albino Barrera's 'Market Complicity and Christian Ethics' in 2011, there's a reflection on the collective pursuit of financial gains leading to compromised standards and, ultimately, crises like the 2008 financial collapse.
The Wiktionary entry you provided offers translations of "gravy boat" into different languages, reflecting its culinary significance across cultures. In various tongues like Dutch ("juskom," "sauskom"), German ("Soßenschüssel," "Sauciere"), or Russian ("со́усник"), the term denotes vessels used specifically for sauces.
If you're interested in adding this term to your vocabulary or exploring its cultural significance further, these translations could provide insight into how different societies perceive and designate this particular kitchen item.
