A watering can (or watering pot) is a portable container, usually with a handle and a spout, used to water plants by hand. It has existed since at least the 17th century and has since been improved.
At the end of the spout (a long tube originating at the bottom of the container), a "rose" (a device like a cap with small holes) can be placed to break up the stream of water into droplets to avoid excessive water pressure on the soil or on delicate plants.
In Dutch it's called a 'gieter' - literally ' a pourer'
John Cleese, in a 1963 Cambridge University Footlights Review ("Cambridge Circus") sketch "Judge Not" described a watering can as: "a large, cylindrical, tin-plated vessel with a perforated pouring piece, much used by the lower classes for the purpose of artificially moistening the surface soil".
The term "watering can" first appeared in 1692, in the diary of keen cottage gardener Lord Timothy George of Cornwall. Before then, it was known as a "watering pot".
In 1885 the "Haws" watering can was patented by Michael Deas. He replaced the top mounted handle with a single round handle at the rear. It is still regarded as the creme de la creme of watering cans.
Watering cans are used by gardeners for watering plants, by road workers to apply bitumen to asphalt, as ornaments and regularly in symbolic art pieces.
The old traditional yp watering can is sometimes heavy to carry with one hand.
This dual action plastic can in the latest invention, and helps with that aspect as well :~)
I used to have this dual purpose flying pig watering can (right) in my office. One : for watering plants and two : for when people would ask about meeting a deadline... "Yeah, right, when this pig can really fly".
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