Carboy
From Free net encyclopedia
A carboy is a glass vessel used in fermenting wine, mead, and beer. Usually it is fitted with a rubber stopper and a fermentation lock to prevent bacteria from entering during the fermentation process.
Carboys come in various volumes ranging from 1 gallon to 6.5 gallons. A 1 gallon carboy is usually called a "jug". A 15 gallon carboy is often called a demijohn. "Demijohn" is an old word that formerly referred to any glass vessel with a large body and small neck, enclosed in wickerwork. The word is said to derive from the name of a Persian town, Damaghan, but this is not supported by any historical evidence. According to OED the word comes from French dame-jeanne, literarily "Dame Jane", as a popular appellation. This is in accordance with the historical evidence at present known, since the word occured initially in French language in the 17th c., and no earlier trace of it has been found elsewhere.
In Britain, "demijohn" refers to a 1-gallon glass brewing vessel.
In Southeast U.S. slang, a demijohn jug, of any size, is referered to as a "jimmyjohn".