Slop Basin (Noun)
Meaning
A bowl into which the dregs of teacups and coffee cups are emptied at the table.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Examples
- The hostess instructed the server to pour the remaining coffee from each cup into the slop basin at the end of the meal.
- In many upscale restaurants, the staff will discreetly collect and pour leftover liquid from teacups into a small slop basin on a tray.
- During formal tea parties, the ladies would carefully tilt their cups over the slop basin to discard the dregs before refilling.
- The busy waitress efficiently cleared the tables, pouring the remains from the coffee cups into the metal slop basin hanging from her apron.
- In olden times, the butler would quietly make the rounds of the dinner table, pouring the leftover liquids from the fine china cups into a delicate slop basin on his serving tray.