Origin

• The term Lazy Susan originates in the fact that, during the 1700s, servants were often named Susan.
  
  

First Written Use

• The term Lazy Susan first appeared in writing in a 1917 issue of "Vanity Fair" magazine that featured an advertisement for a Revolving Server or Lazy Susan.
  
  

Inventor

• It's not known who invented the original Lazy Susan, although some theories attribute its creation to either Thomas Jefferson (who had a daughter named Susan) or Thomas Edison. No concrete evidence exists to support these claims.
  
  

Alternate Term

• Prior to the mid-1900s, Lazy Susan-type trays were called dumb waiters, a term that usually refers to a small elevator for carrying items, especially food and dishes, between the floors of a building.
  
  

Other Uses

• Lazy Susan can refer to any type of hand-rotated platform such as a TV platform or rotating spice rack. The United States military uses the term Lazy Susan to describe weapons turntables.