The Many Different Things to Call a Bathroom

Question

So, here's a strange topic- What do you call a bathroom? Some people argue that bathrooms are only those with baths in it and some say you shouldn't call it a restroom since it is not meant to fall asleep/ 'rest' in.

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I've heard it called

~bathroom

~restroom

~tinkle town; and

~potty palace

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So what do you call it and why?

Also call "the head", "the john", "the latrine", "the loo" - CalvoViejo, Apr 26, 2010

Answer 1

Only a few years ago a lot of homes had the toilet placed in a small hut so far away from the house you needed to take a cut- lunch with you when visiting. Some country areas still have them , they are called the "Dunny" they cannot be missed as they are often surrounded by swarms of flies , if they are not serviced by "a night collector" there will just be a seat over a hole in the ground which can then be moved when too full . Snakes and Red backed spiders are favorite haunts of the Country Dunny therefore one must approach them quite gingerly armed with a big stick , insect propellant ,a large sack to contain the Snake in case bitten one needs to have it identified to determine the type of anti venom you need , if the spider bites you do not bother to try to catch or identify it for by then you will probably be dead. OH do not to forget to take plenty of paper and in case the dunny has to be moved ( it being too full to safely sit down on ) you had better be armed with a shovel, and wear strong boots because the Bull Ants are vicious , and don't forget a torch there are no lights down there , but if you want my advice don't bother just look for the Lemon tree it is safer and the tree will thank you with delicious lemons , have a good one! ,Ray.

In the U.S. it was called an outhouse. :-) - Delores--Lindsey, Apr 26, 2010

Ray - I'll remember to "hold it" if I'm ever in Australia ;) - patch, Apr 26, 2010

Great response, Ray :) - CalvoViejo, Apr 26, 2010

We also call it an "outhouse"but spell it a little differently.if you get my drift! - ray76, Apr 26, 2010

Jajaja...I get your drift, Ray. - --Mariana--, Apr 26, 2010

:( sounds very frightening - MeEncantanCarasSonrisas, Apr 26, 2010

:D "teh lemon tree will thank you with delicious lemons :D - MeEncantanCarasSonrisas, Apr 26, 2010

Yep great post Ray - we thought we were the "ants pants" when the sewer arrived and the dunny finally made it inside. - nonombre, May 1, 2010

Answer 2

I've heard

• the loo
• water closet W/C
• the head
• the toilet
• potty

Personally, in English, I call it the "restroom" to be polite. In Spanish, I call it "el baño."

Answer 3

In England a "bathroom" is where you have a bath. We just say toilet as in "I'm going to the toilet". The American way sounds nice.

Answer 4

"the throne" (for the actual fixture)...not sure that would make sense en español??

it does. =) - Mokay, Apr 27, 2010

Answer 5

Just for you Jeezzle,captain Morgan always cried out arrrrrrrrrrrrrgh somebody bring me, me chamber pot

Answer 6

I'll go with Spanish and say

1. El baño
2. El servicio
3. Los servicios
4. El cuarto del baño
5. There is word that means something like "dresser" or "armoire" or something (not armario) I think it begins with C and it means bathroom and I simply need to know it so someone please reply...I must remember.... arrrrrrgh.

The piece of furniture that you are talking about may be the commode. - Delores--Lindsey, Apr 26, 2010

El sanatario - CalvoViejo, Apr 26, 2010

L'armoire, is French ,it is a cupboard , but The English used the word to mean a little cupboard containing a pot or bucket in which to "relieve oneself" Ionce saw it written as "Commode d' armoire " how quaint! - ray76, Apr 26, 2010

Answer 7

Well, I have always called it the bathroom but when I was in Malaysia nobody knew what I was talking about, so I asked for the restroom and I got nothing. They all called it the toilet.

Answer 8

When an English lady goes to the bathroom she daren't say so for fear of having to use words like "toilet" which in some circles is considered "vulgar". Instead she will say "I'm going to powder my nose" and use the word "powderroom" instead of "bathroom" or any of the above. So then the focus switches from bodily functions to re-applying your make-up. Which sounds a lot better .

Also used is "lavatory" or shortened "the lav", "convenience", "privy" or "the smallest room". Another, less "nice" word is "the john".