Английский Этимологический словарь - can (n.)

- O.E. canne "a cup, container," from P.Gmc. *kanna, probably an early borrowing from L.L. canna "container, vessel," from L. canna "reed." Modern "air-tight vessel of tinned iron" is from 1874; the verb meaning "to put up in cans" is attested from 1871. Slang meaning "toilet" is c.1900, said to be a shortening of piss-can. Meaning "buttocks" is from c.1910. Verb meaning "fire an employee" is from 1905. Canned "pre-recorded" first attested 1904.