An army marches on its stomach

A canteen is a container with a lid for storing liquids up to 2 litres. It is a 19th century invention. The word comes most probably from a German word “Manöverflasche”, i.e. a bottle that can be used for manoeuvres. It was a staple equipment of hunters, herdsmen and warriors. The role of a canteen was first played by animal horns, gourds and leather but then glass and metal started to be used to make them. They had a practical purpose, contrary to flat bottles and the so-called German reserve canteens, used mainly as souvenirs.