Jug (container) facts for kids

Picture of milk in a jug and glasses

A jug is a type of container that people often use to hold liquids. It usually has an opening, which can be narrow, for pouring or drinking. Jugs also have a handle to make them easy to carry. Throughout history, jugs have been made from many materials like metal, ceramic, glass, or plastic.

In some places, like Britain, a jug is usually a drinking vessel used for liquids you can drink. It's not typically seen as a type of packaging. However, in North America, these kinds of table jugs are often called pitchers.

Sometimes, other containers are also called "jugs." This can depend on where you are, old traditions, or just what people prefer to call them. For example, some types of bottles might be called jugs, especially if they have a narrow opening and a handle. These containers often have stoppers or screw caps to close them.

Different Kinds of Jugs

Many different containers are sometimes called “jugs.” Here are some examples:

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  An old Stoneware jug

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  A man carrying a jug in Portugal, 1950

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  Jugs used for cider in Somerset, England

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  A silver hot water jug from Dublin, around 1770

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  A special "face jug" made by Lanier Medders

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  Two German bartman jugs from the 1600s

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  A large 18-liter plastic water jug being refilled

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  A plastic bottle of milk, sometimes called a “milk jug”

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  A growler bottle, also known as a “jug”

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  A Roman glass juglet from the 1st century C.E.

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  An old pottery jug used in a household

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  An ancient Egyptian jug from the Louvre museum

History of the Word "Jug"

The word "jug" first appeared in the late 1400s. Back then, it was spelled jugge or jubbe. We don't know exactly where the word came from. Some people think it might have come from "Jug," which was a common nickname for a maidservant during that time.

Another old word, "punchard," was used in the Middle Ages. It described an early stone jug that was used to store mead, a type of drink. Because of this, "punchard" became linked to jugs used for drinks.

Jugs for Beverages

A British glass pint jug with a drink inside

In some countries, like New Zealand and Australia, a "jug" can mean a plastic container that holds about 2 pints (a little over a litre) of a drink. In the United States, this might be called a pitcher. However, most US pitchers are larger, holding about 2 to 4 litres. In New Zealand and Australia, a pitcher can sometimes refer to an even bigger container for drinks.

In Britain, if you have a choice between a pint-sized tankard (a type of mug) and a straight glass for a drink, the tankard might be called a "jug." A "jug of beer" can also mean a jug holding larger amounts, usually measured in pints. If a pub sells a large jug, they will usually say so to avoid confusion.

What is a Juglet?

A juglet is an ancient container for liquids. It is similar to a modern jug but much smaller in size.

Jugs as Musical Instruments

In American folk music, an empty jug is sometimes used as a musical instrument. People buzz their lips into the opening of the jug to make a sound like a trombone. This instrument is often part of a jug band, which is how the band gets its name!

More Images of Jugs

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  A French ceramic jug

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  A covered cream jug made of silver, from 1735. It is at the Cleveland Museum of Art in the USA.

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  A Hamilton and Inches silver claret jug from Edinburgh, 1902

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  An enamel wash-basin and a matching jug

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  An ancient jug from the Syro-Palestinian coast or Egypt, 8th-11th century AD. It is part of the Khalili Collections.

See also

In Spanish: Vasija para niños