dishwasher
DISH-wosh-er
/ˈdɪʃˌwɒʃər/
A machine designed to wash and dry plates, cups, and cutlery automatically.
Can refer both to the physical kitchen appliance and, historically, to a person hired to wash dishes.
The story behind the word. A straightforward English compound of dish (from Latin discus, meaning a flat plate) and washer. The first mechanical dishwashing device was patented in 1850 by Joel Houghton, but it was Josephine Cochrane who invented the first reliable automatic model in 1886.
Word relationships
- dishwashing machine: A more formal, technical term for the appliance.
Word family
- dishwashing (noun): The activity of washing dishes.
Collocations
- load the dishwasher
- run the dishwasher
- dishwasher detergent
Example sentences
- "You should load the dirty plates into the dishwasher after dinner." A household chore instruction.
- "Modern dishwasher models often use significantly less water than washing dishes by hand." An environmental comparison.
Memory hook
It literally does what it says: it washes your dishes so you don't have to. The dish wishes to be washed by the dishwasher.
When not to use
Do not use when referring to manual dishwashing in a sink.
Fun facts
- Josephine Cochrane, the inventor of the first successful dishwasher, was a wealthy socialite who built the machine because she was tired of her servants chipping her fine china.
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