If you Carry The Can then you take reluctant responsibility for something that has gone wrong. It was in use regularly since at least 1936. There are a couple of suggestions as to its origin. One is that it was a military expression and stems from the duty of one man to carry a large can – a bucket – of beer between the mess and a group of men. The can carrier was responsible for both the beer and for returning the empty bucket. The second suggestion dates back further. During the 1800s, explosive was habitually used in both coal and tin mines. One man would be given the undesirable task of carrying a can of explosives to the mine face each day, consequently bringing a reluctance to 'carry the can'.