# Breaking news: Toilet paper goes over not under **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 18, 2015, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-toilet-paper-goes-over-not-under/715296 "2015-03-18T15:14:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Blue\_Mood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@Blue\_Mood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Mood)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-toilet-paper-goes-over-not-under/715296/1 "2015-03-18T15:14:25Z")
As reported by The Age (Australia), the illustrations for the original patent for toilet paper clearly show that it should go [over](http://www.theage.com.au/world/toilet-paper-should-go-over-the-roll-original-patent-settles-the-debate-20150318-1m1x92.html), not under. That is all. (Except for a certain smugness that comes from knowing that I’ve been right all along …) ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-toilet-paper-goes-over-not-under/715296/2 "2015-03-18T15:15:49Z")
No mention that “Big Corn” tried to buy and hide that patent for years? ---
**Author:** ![Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cabin_fever_1/32/2908_2.png) [@Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabin_Fever_1)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-toilet-paper-goes-over-not-under/715296/3 "2015-03-18T15:23:08Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > No mention that “Big Corn” tried to buy and hide that patent for years? Totally confused ^. Besides. I and millions of kittens agree with **Blue Mood**. Over, not under. Much more fun that way. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-toilet-paper-goes-over-not-under/715296/4 "2015-03-18T15:35:14Z")
Ah but that was the Old Testament, now you are allowed to [del]eat shellfish[/del] use TP any way you want. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-toilet-paper-goes-over-not-under/715296/5 "2015-03-18T15:42:06Z")
Which again raises the age-old question in my mind of is there a gender bias in folders vs. wadders? ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Mood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@Blue\_Mood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Mood)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-toilet-paper-goes-over-not-under/715296/6 "2015-03-18T15:56:39Z")
> [@Cabin\_Fever](#): > > Totally confused ^. That new-fangled toilet paper darn near put corn cobs out of business. ---
**Author:** ![Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cabin_fever_1/32/2908_2.png) [@Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabin_Fever_1)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-toilet-paper-goes-over-not-under/715296/7 "2015-03-18T16:01:57Z")
> [@Blue\_Mood](#): > > That new-fangled toilet paper darn near put corn cobs out of business. Duh. Now I get it. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-toilet-paper-goes-over-not-under/715296/8 "2015-03-18T16:06:23Z")
> [@Cabin\_Fever](#): > > I and millions of kittens agree with **Blue Mood**. Over, not under. > Much more fun that way. 😃 Chippie, our older cat, doesn’t care which. Over or under, he’ll shred it either way. Which is why it now stands on end in a paper towel holder on the counter. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-toilet-paper-goes-over-not-under/715296/9 "2015-03-18T16:07:02Z")
> [@Blue\_Mood](#): > > That new-fangled toilet paper darn near put corn cobs out of business. I thought Sears or Monkey-Wards was responsible for that? ---
**Author:** ![Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cabin_fever_1/32/2908_2.png) [@Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabin_Fever_1)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-toilet-paper-goes-over-not-under/715296/10 "2015-03-18T16:07:22Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > Ah but that was the Old Testament, now you are allowed to [del]eat shellfish[/del] use TP any way you want. They only say that in the NIV Bible. The King James version translates to “Thou shalt not leave an empty TP tube on dispenser. Discard and replace.” ---
**Author:** ![Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cabin_fever_1/32/2908_2.png) [@Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabin_Fever_1)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-toilet-paper-goes-over-not-under/715296/11 "2015-03-18T16:15:35Z")
> [@kopek](#): > > I thought Sears or Monkey-Wards was responsible for that? The Sears and Roebuck Catalog was responsible for the settling of the western USA during our pioneer days. Without it - well just imagine thousands of outhouses that would be full of corncobs and … ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-toilet-paper-goes-over-not-under/715296/12 "2015-03-18T16:20:03Z")
> [@Blue\_Mood](#): > > As reported by The Age (Australia), the illustrations for the original patent for toilet paper clearly show that it should go [over](http://www.theage.com.au/world/toilet-paper-should-go-over-the-roll-original-patent-settles-the-debate-20150318-1m1x92.html), not under. That is all. (Except for a certain smugness that comes from knowing that I’ve been right all along …) Great. I’ll file a patent for the under method and get a royality for every cat owner. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-toilet-paper-goes-over-not-under/715296/13 "2015-03-18T16:25:49Z")
of course they would say it goes over, they’re Australians. the water doesn’t even swirl in the drains in the right way. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-toilet-paper-goes-over-not-under/715296/14 "2015-03-18T16:36:01Z")
At least now we have an actual citation for this argument. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-toilet-paper-goes-over-not-under/715296/15 "2015-03-18T17:06:56Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > At least now we have an actual citation for this argument. Exactly! Now, if only we can find the original patent for the toilet itself, showing the hinged lid and the explanation that lids are designed to be _put down._ ---
**Author:** ![Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cabin_fever_1/32/2908_2.png) [@Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabin_Fever_1)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-toilet-paper-goes-over-not-under/715296/16 "2015-03-18T17:27:01Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > At least now we have an actual citation for this argument. Agree. After decades of differing opinions, it have been PROVEN. Over, not under. However, someone (ahem) has raised (:D) the debate of the toilet seat being left up or down. Will this never end? ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Mood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@Blue\_Mood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Mood)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-toilet-paper-goes-over-not-under/715296/17 "2015-03-18T17:50:05Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > Exactly! > > Now, if only we can find the original patent for the toilet itself, showing the hinged lid and the explanation that lids are designed to be _put down._ We (sort of) do! The lid should both be put down every time the user is finished because flushing with the lid up makes [yucky things](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/06/flush-toilet-diarrhea-bacteria-lidless-clostridium-difficile-_n_1181100.html) go into the air. ---
**Author:** ![Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cabin_fever_1/32/2908_2.png) [@Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabin_Fever_1)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-toilet-paper-goes-over-not-under/715296/18 "2015-03-18T17:51:38Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > Exactly! > > Now, if only we can find the original patent for the toilet itself, showing the hinged lid and the explanation that lids are designed to be _put down._ Although not directly answering your question, I thought some links might help **Fight Ignorance** : > **[WO2006091212A1 - The noiseless toilet - Google Patents](https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2006091212A1/en)** > > After some experiments, I invented a Noiseless Toilet, which is easy yet practical. First, glue about 1.5/8 inch tall by 3.5/8 inch wide elastic rubber inside edge of the toilet tank cover (keep the little hole open to allow air passage).... > **[US20060225190A1 - Toilet seat lift bar - Google Patents](https://patents.google.com/patent/US20060225190)** > > The toilet seat lift bar is a unique invention. It is a rectangular bar that Attaches underneath the toilet seat to help lift or lower the toilet seat without touching the toilet seat itself. It will be very beneficial for all Ages, especially... [http://www.inventors-trunk-scroll.com/inventor-of-the-toilet.html](http://www.inventors-trunk-scroll.com/inventor-of-the-toilet.html) I return you do this discussion hoping it will guide you further. I think I might be going back to the thread about crows, for they are far smarter than I. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cabin_fever_1/32/2908_2.png) [@Cabin\_Fever\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabin_Fever_1)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-toilet-paper-goes-over-not-under/715296/19 "2015-03-18T18:06:26Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > Great. I’ll file a patent for the under method and get a royality for every cat owner. Sorry. My cat \*\*Who Thinks She Owns The WholePlanet \*\*let alone has ambitions for dominating **The Entire Universe** has already filed and received a Patent Pending for that, The little fucker still expects me to scratch her head in spite of all that. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2015, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-toilet-paper-goes-over-not-under/715296/20 "2015-03-18T18:16:22Z")
**Cabin Fever** , that is a \*shit ton \*of toilet information; thanks 😉 On a cat / toilet related note - though nothing at all to do with _paper_- Cosmo, aka Brigadier General Pissy Britches apparently thinks I do something or another bathroom related incorrectly because he unceremoniously backed that cat ass up and sprayed me the other day while I was sitting on the toilet :eek: [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-toilet-paper-goes-over-not-under/715296.md?page=2)