Question: What do you "Think Tank" associate with?

Is it more in the sense of what we call "Panzer" in German or has it a more valuefree meaning of a container?

Thnx and

Greetings from Good Old Europe

At first I thought the question was about organizations like the 'Rand Corporation' etc. that are known as 'think tanks' because they sponsor studies and create reports to influence decision-makers. The idea is a container full of, um, brains, I guess. LOL. Or maybe lack thereof, depending....

However, I believe the question is really about how I associate the word 'tank.' Generally, I associate 'tank' with a container for gasoline or other liquid, i.e. the gas tank in my car. This is my most common association.

However, meaning #2 is translated as the famous word 'Panzer,' and it is quite common in the last year. And, meaning #3, which is the sleeveless top usually made out of t-shirt material, is sort of related to meaning #2. In other words, I think it got so hot inside of a military tank that the guys threw off their uniforms and just wore 'tank tops.'

Meaning #4 is "thanks" said by a child without their 2 front teeth. :-)

I think the questioner wants to know which meaning of 'tank' the phrase 'think tank' derives from.
I would say it means 'container', not 'offensive weapon'. There are websites that specialise in such questions - if any have a definitive answer (ie one that quotes a very early use, where the derivation is clear), I'll let you know.

Welcome to DU!! :toast: