colander

My colander often sits in my sink for most of the week, camouflaging itself into invisibility, and providing a nesting place for the silverware and small plates and cups that hide underneath it. Obtrusively large, it manages to take up most of my sink and lead to a general stoppage of all dishwashing through the week. The reason for this is that when my eye alights upon it, I am reminded of the fact that I should probably clean it, and then I think of something else to do. Then at a certain point in the week, my mind suddenly snaps into focus with the knowledge that washing a colander is both impossible and unnecessary, and I push it aside and proceed to wash my dishes in five minutes.

Col"an*der (?), n. [L. colans, -antis, p. pr. of colare to filter, to strain, fr. colum a strainer. Cf. Cullis, Culvert.]

A utensil with a bottom perforated with little holes for straining liquids, mashed vegetable pulp, etc.; a strainer of wickerwork, perforated metal, or the like.

© Webster 1913.