Syrup used to be stored in large, thick, clay jugs, a gallon or more. These vessels were pored by means of resting them on your shoulder and hooking a finger (or two!) into the loop for control.
These smaller bottles have vestigial loops.
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A collection of some classic Lemmy memes for your enjoyment
Syrup used to be stored in large, thick, clay jugs, a gallon or more. These vessels were pored by means of resting them on your shoulder and hooking a finger (or two!) into the loop for control.
These smaller bottles have vestigial loops.
evolution is amazing
Next you're going to tell me we drank honey straight from the full-sized bear, aren't you?
Proper drinking technique demonstrated (on left):

Now it's just good enough for hanging a fancy price tag.
Hook catch to lower the bottle into hot water before serving the syrup warm.
Source: I love me some french toast, waffles, and pancakes.
Did .... did you just change my life?
Have you been eating your syrup cold this whole time?
I like the cold syrup on my breakfast stuff, its more viscous and creates a nice hot/cold heterogeneity.
Not the same person, but yes. You enlightened us, oh apostle of the maple syrup god!
Hmm. Okay.
I suppose the bottle might be hot even if you don't completely submerge it. But, then what, do you hold it with a gloved hand? If it's not that hot, then why would I need a hook? I accept this is the intended use, I just don't see it being particularly useful that way.
It's also possible this is just vestigial decoration from the older, larger jugs.

So you can string them on a necklace.
Walk through a forest with a couple dozen empties strung around your neck and trees know what the fuck is up.
In Canada, the maple elfs are the ones that collect the syrup. After the great syrup catastropy of 1909, we learned the hard lesson that the elf rings (that is the technical name for these loops) could not exceed a standard unit elf-span. In Canada, we have a saying: "standards and codes are written in syrup. "
After the great syrup catastropy of 1909
Was that anything like The Great Molasses Flood?
one of my uncles told my nephews it was because canadians have a sixth, tiny finger on each hand, it's how you can tell they're from canada. they believed this for years, but I guess it's easy to lie to 5 year olds
Wait do non-canadians not have the little sixth digit on their hands for carrying these bottles??
It's not on my hands.
I always though it was so you could use a carabiner to buckle it to your belt.
There so you can hook them to a Carabiner and carry them with you. As is tradition.
I think the shape is supposed to be reminiscent of a gallon jug, where the handle actually fits a grown human's finger. By scaling it down we're left with a handle that feels idiotic.
It makes it easier for the syrup elves to handle the bottles. Most people don’t recognize this part of syrup production and prefer to gloss over the cruelty behind their sweet treat. It can be ethically produced but most producers refuse to comment on their presence of elves in their operation.
It looks like it's for a keychain or carabiner. In case you want a hip flask of syrup, I guess.
it’s to keep the butthole from closing around the top in a manner that would be dangerous.
You’re telling me I’m supposed to stop before the loop?
is-is it not where you hold it with your prehensile penis?
Oh, my sweet summer sausage.
Its a useless leftover from when the containers were stone jugs.
They still are. Just melted stone.
Silica is a mineral. aka Quartz and it will melt. Stone jugs are made from clay and is vitrified not melted. its fired in a kiln like brick.
You mean Canadians don't have them attached to their belts like a hip flask?
Smol hol (˵ ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°˵)
Is it for a finger?
It’s cute, it’s traditional and it sells more syrup.
— https://www.rd.com/article/why-maple-syrup-bottles-have-tiny-handles/
It's where you hold the bottle when you drink it. Keep your pinky in the air. Everyone will know you are a gentleman / lady.
Canadian fleshlight