Shakers

/ˈʃeɪkərz/ noun

Definition

Containers for dispensing salt, pepper, or other seasonings by shaking; or members of a Christian religious sect known for their ecstatic worship.

Etymology

From 'shake' plus '-er' suffix. The religious group got their name from their trembling during worship, while the kitchen implement is named for its function of shaking out contents.

Kelly Says

The dual meaning reveals how the same word can capture both spiritual ecstasy and mundane kitchen function - Shaker religious communities ironically became famous for their precisely crafted, unadorned furniture and tools.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.