20 Questions

Maybe it is a lucky can after all

Is it designed to hold liquid?

Yes

Ugh. I could've saved us a question. The liquid one is what I initially asked, but then had second thoughts and edited it out. Good initiative chill. Granted I guess a pot still holds liquid, so we did eliminate extra possibilities.

Stove top kettle, beer stein, thermos, water bottle....

IRTM noted he takes it on a trip. He didn't specify camping. So, would think this should have a lid or top (or something to ensure containment) if you are taking it on trips.

I think it is his sippy-cup from his childhood.:p

It seems like maybe and insulated drink thingy that everyone has, but people didn't have them in 1975. They kind of started with the "you need to drink 84 gallons of water a day" craze, and that was later. A thermos was a 1975 thing.

ya thermos or water bottle. probably one of those yetis.

Does the median American own a metal thermos?

IRTM really didn't like that question wording.

I think if could answer it fully he would have said it would not be unlikely for an average American to have one. That's how I read his hedging... he didn't want to get into ave/mean/50% +...

I don't own a metal thermos but I do have a bunch of these.

It could also be this, but it's less likely.

We've got 4 more questions before we need to identify the answer. I feel good about this for Q17.

Is it commonly used for preparing and/or transporting coffee?

Reminder that any answer I gave to this question would be awkward. But saying "yes" felt like it would be closer.

Probably not a thermos or yeti. Tea kettle?

0) Thing
1) It does fit in a 1 meter diameter sphere
2) You can buy it
3) It does not have any electrical components
4) The median USA adult male likely does own at least one.
5) It does normally cost less than 50 bucks.
6) It is not naturally occurring
7) The median USA adult male likely would have owned one in 1975
8) The medium US female likely does own at least one.
9) It is not at least 40% plastic.
9a) It is not one of a kind. (??)
10) It is often kept in a bathroom or kitchen.
11) When going on a trip, I would likely travel with it. The average person likely wouldn't.
12) The item is something you eat, drink, or cook with.
13) It is not mostly made of glass or ceramic.
14) It is mostly made of metal.
15) It would not usually be considered to be a utensil.
16) It is meant not to be used for cooking food on a stove or in an oven.
17) It is designed to hold liquid.

This would be question 18 in case that affects your guess. I'll wait for confirmation before revealing.

mostly made of metal, designed to hold liquid, and the medium us female likely owns at least one

Bump.

TOO MUCH PRESSURE!

Why did we reject a thermos? Is it more than 40% plastic?

I said that I believe most are, but it's uncertain. I do not think the median American owns a mostly metal thermos bottle.

Maybe they mostly own thermos' and it's not only all metal.
Or they mostly own water bottles, but that includes people with both metal and plastic water bottles.

Also measuring cups, table/teaspoon set (unsure if the latter is cutlery)

True, just giving my thoughts.

Wouldn't many/most people who own a water bottle bring it with them when traveling? That's really the purpose of the water bottle. But irtm strongly implied that traveling with this item was rare.

I've never even heard of that, but then I don't drink coffee.

Maybe it's a Brit/Euro thing, though I doubt it.