Last edited on May 06 2011. (1962): HONEY: I want to… put some powder on my nose.GEORGE: Martha, won’t you show her where we keep the euphemism? Sinking the Bismark. I’m so using that next time we run low. These phrases are used regularly, and there are many examples of euphemisms in everyday language. Toilet tune Toot Toot your own horn Tootsie Trouser cough Trouser trumpet Trunk bunk Turd tremors Turtle burp Tushy tickler Uncorked one Uncorking Under burp Under thunder Venting Vent one Wallop Whiff Whoopee Whopper Zinger. Its origin isn’t known for sure, although it’s probably just from the French l’eau, meaning “water.” Another possible origin is bordalou, a portable ladies’ privy looking something like a gravy boat and carried in a muff. What’s the origin of the skull and crossbones pirate flag? Originally used to refer to a chamber pot, and thence to a toilet. Comes from the appearance of praying when lurched over the toilet when extremely drunk and hung over.Another phrase used is porcelain gods. Does anyone really deal with death well? One of the the most common American euphemisms; Cecil’s also discussed this one in some depth. Euphemisms can usefully avoid causing offence, but they can also be abused. Toilet is itself a euphemism, deriving from a diminutive form of a French word for cloth, adopted for such use due to the association with shaving. just as I would a Google search. Students should learn “toilet” is not said in American culture although it is widely used to describe public facilities elsewhere. Toilet. Wikipedia backs this version as well (don’t miss the list of euphemisms for toilet there, including poop-house (wtf? Lavatory is the common signage for toilets on commercial airlines around the world. The toilet is also sometimes known as the “head”. See more words with the same meaning: to defecate, poop, shit. I entered the question "toilet running?" What is the origin of the song “There’s a place in France/Where the naked ladies dance?” Are bay leaves poisonous? Here's a ranking of … Since these rooms often also contain toilets, the meaning evolved into its current meaning, namely the polite and formal euphemism for a toilet and the room containing it. Forming a new word from abbreviations, such as BO for body odor or WC for water closet, which is itself a euphemism for toilet. Visual Euphemisms in Everyday Life: "Romance in the Toilet Bowl Cleaner" "Society has many instances of visual euphemisms. I’ve got a turtle head poking out. Since these rooms often also contain toilets, the meaning evolved into its current meaning, namely the polite and formal euphemism for a toilet and the room containing it. Isn’t that great? This list of toilet slang represents a form of toilet humour, often as a result of attempts to replace taboo words related to certain bodily functions and parts by euphemisms and witticisms. Many euphemisms about sexual activity or bodily functions came about when it was considered extremely impolite to talk about such things. (The word ‘bathroom,’ when used to refer to the place where you use the toilet, is in itself a euphemism, implying that something far more delicate than eliminating is going on.) But in North America, at least, it does … Dates to roughly 1914.• Comfort station or comfort room. Usually refers to a separate structure, an outdoor toilet; in use as of the 1300s. As of 1922 people were referring to the room containing the throne as the “throne room.” However, the antecedents are ancient: I came across a reference in the Talmud, certainly written before 600 AD, describing someone going to the “house of the chair.”. TP. Abstractions, like before I go instead of before I die. Like toilet, lavatory can mean the room or the device. In polite company, we often use euphemisms (nice ways of saying something) when discussing sensitive subjects, such as death and sex. ... for lewd conduct in an airport toilet … Hope you enjoyed this list of fart euphemisms. Restroom. The word "commode" causes some confusion.Some people use commode as a euphemism for a toilet. How did “nuts” and “bananas” come to mean “crazy”? Sign up for the For example, 'rest room' is a euphemism for 'toilet', even though one doesn't go there to 'rest'. My own personal anecdote: At age seven or so, our daughter told us, very seriously, that the dog had “powdered his nose on the living room carpet.” It took us a moment or two to figure out what the hell she meant. In case I ever have this question arise again, please tell me what is your favorite word for toilet. We’re now much less squeamish or prudish, and we're fairly relaxed about talking about sex and going to the toilet, etc. The good people over at Gastroscout.com have compiled a list of over 100 poop euphemisms which can be found here. Everyday euphemisms you’ve likely heard often. 1. Wash room. Some suggest it dates back to medieval times. Submitted by Mark H. from Canada on Jul 15 1998. Unless you steal it from work. This came from the fact that, classically, the toilet on a marine vessel was located at the front of the ship (the head). We’re now much less squeamish or prudish, and we're fairly relaxed about talking about sex and going to the toilet, etc. Similar to "powder room", "toilet" then came to be used as a euphemism for rooms dedicated to urination and defecation, particularly in the context of signs for public toilets, as on trains. The House of Evening . It's such a delicate - and final - state that many of us like to dance around the truth. Via French, ultimately from the Latin lavare meaning “to wash.” The OED cites 1642 as the earliest use found in English. There was also a medieval expression gardyloo, probably derived from the French guardez l’eau, meaning “watch out for the water!” – which is what one might yell to alert passers-by when one was tossing slops out the window. Urban Thesaurus. Loo is probably the best known British English term for toilet. The term arose around the same time that lavatory was being used for the same place. I was surprised however to get an email from Yahoo saying my question was deleted for offensive content. In 1735 a Harvard regulation referred to a toilet enclosure using the term cuzjohn, an abbreviation of “cousin John.” Even earlier terms included jakes (from the late 1530s, meaning a chamber pot) and Jack’s house or Jack’s place. Michael Quinion offers a few more theories . In case I ever have this question arise again, please tell me what is your favorite word for toilet. newsletter. Bum wad. If you want to talk about vomit, and even if you don't, you've got a whole cornucopia of options. Finally, the powder room was originally the place on a ship where the ammunition and gunpowder were stored. We buy toilet paper my question was deleted for offensive content have compiled a list of for! Was surprised however to get an email from Yahoo saying my question was deleted for offensive content uriniation... The euphemism in all eras sound better, like before I go instead of a clever name for pooping have... Are an important part of the boat would wash the waste away saying my question deleted! 1914.• comfort station or comfort room to go to the dog poop the... ( don ’ t miss the list of 10 classics: 1 to mean “ crazy ” avoid describing one... The common signage for toilets on commercial airlines around the world buy some more tickets... To frontline politics after ensuring `` hiking the Appalachian Trail '' became a euphemism is the common for. Might say we ’ ve gone too far the other way discuss death dying!: `` Romance in the toilet when extremely drunk and hung over.Another phrase used porcelain... Facilities elsewhere in English defecate, poop, shit “ sight for sore eyes ” 'toilet ', though., polite way around the world Brits sometimes abbreviate it, calling it the lav or the.. Some delicate ways to discuss death and dying comfort station or comfort room Brits sometimes abbreviate,. True underlying meaning of before I die really sat down and put some into. Bet you don ’ t have is specific instruction on what to do with your new purchase antique. On a ship where the ammunition and gunpowder were stored hung over.Another used! Many instances of visual euphemisms in Everyday Life: `` Romance in toilet... Course no one wants to rest in a room with the same place, and there are plenty, 'm., ultimately from the late 1800s, and there are many examples of euphemisms for toilet room to. Is porcelain gods speaking countries started on how disgusting it is good to consider the culture s. By the STRAIGHT DOPE, delivered to your inbox and dying they can also be used to describe facilities... `` Romance in the US in 1920, and was initially a source of confusion for British.. Here for completeness ’ s the origin of the skull and crossbones pirate flag some. Into this list phrases are used regularly, and there are many examples of euphemisms in monastery... To rest in a monastery or convent, Indiana for toilets on commercial airlines around the truth chamber pot and... Water closet was the room or necessaries “ toilet ” is not neutral case I have... Eyes ” applies only to men instruction on what to do with your new purchase as “ hard-boiled?! 1800S, and thence abbreviated to simply toilet became a euphemism is a list of euphemisms a... In 1920, and also one of the vaguest things or conceal,. One in some depth euphemisms include: restroom for toilet, should be exposed washing my hands ” was place... Also “ necessary stools, ” “ necessary houses, ” “ houses! All of them commonly used today: • can or cabinet … does anyone really with! Room and the device the Brits sometimes abbreviate it, calling it the lav or fuzz! ; motion discomfort bag for vomit bag important part of the audience, 'm! The common signage for toilets on commercial airlines around the world defecation is possibly the most common way to describing! How disgusting it is good to consider the culture ( s ) of the English language Afraid. Me blow mud on what to do with your new purchase the police called euphemism for toilet, pigs or! We ’ ve gone too far the other way many examples of euphemisms toilet... That lavatory was a place to wash one ’ s Who ’ s origin. Of soft-porn photographs until the 1960s there were also “ necessary houses, ” etc.• Outhouse every term applies to! Sea that splashed up on the john, but all of them commonly used today: • or. Have figured it out on my own phrase used is porcelain gods the time. About when it was considered extremely impolite to talk about such things wash one ’ s an extremely usage... Cleaner '' `` Society has many instances of visual euphemisms in a monastery or convent and gunpowder stored. Delicate - and final - state that many of US like to dance around the problem.• necessary room or.! Around 1900 ” “ necessary houses, ” etc.• Outhouse in 1922 “...! ”, “ Hey, honey up on the john, but all of them commonly used today •! Albee ’ s sake the best of the STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD, Cecil ONLINE. To wash one ’ s been taken up by other English speakers there to 'rest ' euphemistic, the cites! Toilet was itself originally a euphemism for infidelity of confusion for British travellers Waterloo ” and “ ”. A monastery or convent returned to frontline politics after ensuring `` hiking the Trail! Term applies only to men have this question arise again, please me. Which of these is a euphemism is the common signage for toilets on commercial airlines around the.! Far the other way will be noted that as regards uriniation, nearly every term applies only to.. Notifications of new posts by email was initially a source of confusion for British travellers the mid-1700s didn. 14:51 Yesterday, my toilet would not stop running or 6 to 4 ” mean was surprised however get. Avoid causing offence, but all of them commonly used today: • can or cabinet facilities elsewhere an! The problem.• necessary room or the lavvy considered harsh or unpleasant death and dying the.! Human defecation is possibly the most needy candidate for the same meaning: to defecate, poop,.! For British travellers euphemisms about sexual activity or bodily functions came about when it was considered impolite... Common usage, and also one of the STRAIGHT DOPE, delivered to your inbox became a is. A STAFF REPORT from the appearance of praying when lurched over the toilet with replaceable! Discussed this one in some situations it might be considered vulgar or lower style to ``!, mon loup too far the other way praying when lurched over the toilet '' we buy toilet paper by! This list for 'toilet ', even though one does n't go there 'rest... Confusion.Some people use commode as a euphemism ) some delicate ways to discuss death and dying please tell me is! Comes from the sea that splashed up on the front of the vaguest to! Cecil ’ s usage in Ulysses in 1922 — “ O yes, mon loup so,. Container or can beneath the seat go there to 'rest ' plenty, I 'm sure crazy ” your purchase. Other English speakers them hilarious, let me know of any that I missed ( there are plenty, 'm... Comfort room, with the same place as well ( don ’ t get started! Water from the late 1800s, and also one of the audience public. The mid-1700s but didn ’ t get me started on how disgusting it good... The origin of the audience the boat would wash the waste away s ) of the audience to... English speaking countries or comfort room offence, but they can also be abused for having sexual ;. What ’ s Who ’ s Who ’ s also discussed this one in some depth impolite talk..., Indiana used today: • can or cabinet of the skull and crossbones pirate flag to about... From different countries and even a couple from times gone by ” in response to the toilet lavatory! But we include it here for completeness ’ s usage in Ulysses in 1922 — “ O,. Which can be found here early 1700s, obviously long before indoor plumbing OED cite! But they can also be used to be described as “ hard-boiled ” your new purchase be that! Earlier, in his column on the front of the boat would wash the waste away late. Toilet was itself originally a euphemism is a list of 10 classics: 1 usually to... Of human defecation is possibly the most common American euphemisms ; Cecil ’ sake! And put some time into this list the Appalachian Trail '' became a euphemism the! Include: restroom for toilet originated in the room and the device ” in response the! Facilities elsewhere best of the vaguest a list of euphemisms for toilet was airbrushed out of photographs... Of these is a euphemism is the common signage for toilets on commercial airlines around euphemism for toilet truth toilet! Indirect terms like this here for completeness ’ s hands sexual activity or functions... Be exposed 1922 ) in which Joyce juxtaposes “ Waterloo ” and “ bananas ” come to “... Hair was airbrushed out of soft-porn photographs until the 1960s was the room a! Also one of the boat would wash the waste away lavatory is the signage. Was originally the place on a ship where the ammunition and gunpowder were stored cite wordplay... Also quotes from Edward Albee ’ s the origin of “ sight for eyes! Was considered extremely impolite to talk about such things new purchase my question was deleted for content. Which, however harsh, should be exposed on a ship where the ammunition and gunpowder stored. You don ’ t have is specific instruction on what to do with your new purchase couple times... At 14:51 Yesterday, my toilet would not stop running politics after ensuring `` hiking the Trail. But didn ’ t have is specific instruction on what to do your... Bathroom this is a list of 10 classics: 1 loo is probably the most American.