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From: Walt Vogdes
Remote Name: 24.113.95.243
Since the word "stein" is an American (or at least English-speaking) term, I answered the question from that perspective. As that term is thought to derive from the German word "Steinzeug", we might argue that anything made of this material is a stein even in the German sense of the word. But that would be foolish, as that definition would include plaques, beakers, mustard jars and thunder jugs.
While the term "Krug" was used for virtually every drinking or serving vessel in the original Mettlach catalogs, it was undoubtedly known to be a "Kanne", a word which means pitcher. Do I propose that we Americans begin to use that term for accuracy? Only if you want to separate yourself from the great body of English speakers who won't know what you are talking about. I much prefer to stay in the American-English vernacular and refer to this piece as a stein, more accurately a pouring stein or a master stein (since it does have smaller steins in the same form obviously intended to be a set).