# Take a leak ?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-a-leak/96040>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 30, 2001, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-a-leak/96040 "2001-11-30T00:00:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 2

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\
**Post date:** [December 2, 2001, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-a-leak/96040/21 "2001-12-02T03:19:25Z")

</div>

While “take a leak” is in print only from 1918, the term **leak** meaning “to urinate” goes back to at least Shakespeare. 1596. “We leake in your Chimney.” _Henry VI_

Info from my **Lighter**. .

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mudshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)\
**Post date:** [December 2, 2001, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-a-leak/96040/22 "2001-12-02T10:57:36Z")

</div>

How about “make shit” or “make piss”?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![11811](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/9d8465/32.png) [@11811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/11811)\
**Post date:** [December 2, 2001, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-a-leak/96040/23 "2001-12-02T19:01:12Z")

</div>

syphon the python  
point percy at the porcelain  
trace terrance on the terra cotta  
and my all-time favorite:

shake the weasel

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Khampelf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Khampelf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khampelf)\
**Post date:** [December 2, 2001, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-a-leak/96040/24 "2001-12-02T22:34:27Z")

</div>

> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by pennystheman \*  
> \*\*It’s only called draining your lizard if you’re standing still. If you’re walking while urinating it’s called walking your lizard. \*\*

I feel drained by this entire conversation.  
Sit down when you want to pee, and Never Whistle While You’re Pissing.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![nacaguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d6d6ee/32.png) [@nacaguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nacaguy)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2001, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-a-leak/96040/25 "2001-12-03T03:59:34Z")

</div>

A little limited in applicability, but variations on this are sometimes seen above the urinals (and sometimes heard) where guys are working on airplanes:

“Aircraft with short pitot tubes and/or low manifold pressure, please taxi up close and don’t sump on the floor. Not all pilots operating here are seaplane rated.”

Definitely limited applicability. Ever heard anyone say “Gotta go sump”?

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-a-leak/96040.md?page=1)