tin can

can²(def 1).

U.S. Navy Slang. a destroyer.

Origin of tin can

An Americanism dating back to 1760–70

timpanum, timrod, timucu, timur, tin, tin can, tin cup, tin difluoride, tin ear, tin fish, tin god

Lose the house or parade the family skeletons all diked out in pink sashes and tin-can labels.

Wanted: A Husband |Samuel Hopkins Adams
They've got the bottle-neck holder, the tin-can lantern, and all the rest.

Girl Scouts in the Adirondacks |Lillian Elizabeth Roy
Tin-can sealers are made to handle the regular Number 2, or pint cans, and the Number 3, or quart cans.

Every Step in Canning |Grace Viall Gray
Tommie and Jennie were too shy to answer, but Mary exclaimed, "'Tis in a tin-can ye see it shinin' here!"

King Coal |Upton Sinclair

Rosie was playing on the floor with Delia and the puppy that she had rescued from the tin-can persecution.

Maida's Little Shop |Inez Haynes Irwin

tin can

a metal food container, esp when empty