What is the meaning of this sentence: "He can can a can"?

meaning

What does this sentence mean? For me, it's more like "He is capable of opening a can," but according to some, it's not that simple. What does it exactly mean?

Solution 1:

Nice sentence playing with words!

The first "can" means "able to", or "He is able to can a can."
The second "can" is defined:

Slang . to throw (something) away.

The third "can" refers a container for storing food, rubbish, etc.

So, the sentence can be explained:

He is able to throw away a container.

All, substituted with the word "can" for a humorous effect.

Solution 2:

can

is able
to throw away
container

Solution 3:

"He can can a can" means:

He can [is able to] can [place into a can or jar for storage or preservation] a can [a usually metal cylindrical container].

Solution 4:

Free dictionary gives some slang definitions of can. Among them are

4.can - the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on; "he deserves a good kick in the butt"; "are you going to sit on your fanny and do nothing?"

5.can - a plumbing fixture for defecation and urination

Please derive the "not so simple" meaning of the title phrase yourself. Oh yeah, first "can" is really an "is able" version.

Solution 5:

A: Hello, what do you have here?
B: A can.
A: Pretty nice can you have.
B: Yeah...
A: And what is inside the can?
B: A can.
A: There is a can inside the can?
B: Yeah...
A: Sounds quite stupid to me. Who would can a can?
B: A can.
A: You mean... Some can canned a can inside the can?
B: Yeah...
A: I don't get it. How can can can...errr...
B: A can.
A: Yeah... Can can can a can?
B: Yeah...