A horn or container traditionally used for storing and dispensing grease or fat, especially on ships or in kitchens.
From 'grease' + 'horn'; before modern materials, horn from cattle or similar animals was hollowed out and used as a waterproof, semi-flexible container for grease and other substances aboard ships and in households.
Sailors and cooks used grease horns the way we use plastic containers today—they were perfect for the job because horn is naturally water-resistant and doesn't absorb oils. Every ship had them because keeping grease accessible for maintenance and cooking was essential to survival at sea.
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