# whats the big deal with the word "toilet" in the US? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 29, 2009, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-with-the-word-toilet-in-the-us/501329 "2009-06-29T10:55:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-with-the-word-toilet-in-the-us/501329/21 "2009-06-29T13:17:50Z")
> [@coremelt](#): > > I’m trying to understand “toilet” is not in any way a swear word like “piss” is, so asking where it is shouldn’t cause any offense… but it does? why? Remember the Victorians? When the Victorian era ended in the UK, its spirit came over to the US to retire here. > [@Rayne\_Man](#): > > - However, dessert is considered slightly better than the other two, owing to many young people, whose parents say pudding, acquiring the word from American media.[1][\* They acquired “dessert” from us. That’s our generic word for “sweet course at the end of a meal”. So you folks and we Americans just trade off…your general term is our specific term, and our general term is your specific term. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-with-the-word-toilet-in-the-us/501329/22 "2009-06-29T13:24:36Z")
The use of the word defecate would get you second and third looks and mark you as unclean. The word toilet would not. I liked the foreigner that learned to say laboratory instead of the archaic lavatory they tried to teach him. I damn near made him pee his pants, because we don’t have a laboratory. We had a pharmacy, but I figured out from the prancing what he meant. I even led him there instead of giving directions. I told toilet a number of times and hope he picked up on that fact that he wanted to say that in the future. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-with-the-word-toilet-in-the-us/501329/23 "2009-06-29T13:28:35Z")
The “toilet is what we call the actual fixture” reason doesn’t hold water. Toilet is also what NZers and Australians call the actual fixture, it just happens that we _also_ call the room the toilet, but only if it is purely a toilet room, if it’s a joint bathroom/toilet then it’s the “bathroom”. But we’d still ask for the toilet in a strange place, because we want to use the toilet. If you were to ask for the “bathroom” in Australia you may get directed to a room that has a basin, a bath, and a shower but no toilet! ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-with-the-word-toilet-in-the-us/501329/24 "2009-06-29T13:33:10Z")
> [@coremelt](#): > > No I wouldn’t, but thats because the object that I use is not caused the “defecator”, if it was maybe I would. You got that wrong. YOU are the “defecator” and the place is the “defecatory” (not to be confused with the decaffeinator and the decaffeinatory). ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-with-the-word-toilet-in-the-us/501329/25 "2009-06-29T13:33:47Z")
> [@Harmonious\_Discord](#): > > That’s not normal. Most Americans will refer to the room as the toilet. Since when, and where? I’ve never in my life heard that from an American from any part of the country - I’ve only heard “toilet” to refer to “porcelain fixture on which you poop”. ---
**Author:** ![Rayne\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@Rayne\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rayne_Man)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-with-the-word-toilet-in-the-us/501329/26 "2009-06-29T13:36:38Z")
I once witnessed a very confused local at the Acropolis in Athens when an American tourist asked him the location of the nearest bathroom. I could see him struggling with the notion of why this crazy tourist would suddenly want to take a bath. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Shroud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/439d5e/32.png) [@The\_Shroud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Shroud)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-with-the-word-toilet-in-the-us/501329/27 "2009-06-29T13:38:49Z")
I’m curious if it changed at some point. I remember as a kid in the 80s cackling when I heard perfume referred to as “toilet water” on the Dick Van Dyke show. My mom told me, “that’s what some people called it back then.” So, I wonder if the word “toilet” somehow became more literal between the 60s and the 80s. ---
**Author:** ![Fake\_Tales\_of\_San\_Francisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8491ac/32.png) [@Fake\_Tales\_of\_San\_Francisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fake_Tales_of_San_Francisco)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-with-the-word-toilet-in-the-us/501329/28 "2009-06-29T13:38:50Z")
I’ve noticed that the Americans posting in this thread point out it’s a place to take a crap more than they point out it’s a place to take a piss. Is that what goes through your head if someone asks you ‘where is the toilet?’ I personally don’t assume as to what will be leaving the askers body. Although I figure people would wait till they get home to do a number 2. The reason why it sounds strange to non-Americans here is likely because we don’t have a word that we use to specifically refer to the toilet. All words refer to the room too. Well, apart from throne. ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-with-the-word-toilet-in-the-us/501329/29 "2009-06-29T13:48:13Z")
'ere mate, where’s the khazi?" ---
**Author:** ![Rayne\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@Rayne\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rayne_Man)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-with-the-word-toilet-in-the-us/501329/30 "2009-06-29T13:49:17Z")
Nobody yet has mentioned “WC” . This seems to be fairly common on the continent of Europe, and is a sort of pictogram that can be understood by most people, irregardless of their nationality. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-with-the-word-toilet-in-the-us/501329/31 "2009-06-29T13:49:17Z")
> [@coremelt](#): > > so exactly why is asking “excuse me, where is the toilet?” so offensive in the US? > > Ask that in the US and the waiters would look at you in horror… what the crap? > > why does the US have such a big deal about using the actual word for the place? > > …asking where [the toilet] is shouldn’t cause any offense… but it does? why? > > …I can’t say “where is the toilet”, in the US… thats what I find odd. I don’t know whom you’ve run into, but what you describe doesn’t reflect my experience (lifelong U.S. resident). It’s not offensive, and there’s not a big deal about saying it. “Restroom” is the most common term, particularly out in public. “Bathroom” is the term normally used at home, and first taught to children. “Toilet” is less euphemistic, perhaps considered slightly more crass by some, but offense? Horror? I can’t help but think you’ve misinterpreted a bit of mild surprise from people who are just accustomed to hearing customers say “restroom.” ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-with-the-word-toilet-in-the-us/501329/32 "2009-06-29T13:51:25Z")
I have seen signs on British shows like “Ab Fab” which say Toilets and have an arrow. I always think “that’s so classless.” It’s really just a matter of what you’re brought up with." Americans wouldn’t think much or anything of the word “bugger” as in “Bugger it” Which of course is the short form of “buggery” which is sodomy. Like my father was from Yugoslavia and he came to America after WWII and he came via the UK so he learned English there. He used to say “fags” for cigarettes. Whenever I hear the word “fag,” I think of cigarettes. Although almost no on in the USA would ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-with-the-word-toilet-in-the-us/501329/33 "2009-06-29T13:52:22Z")
How would an Aussie or Kiwi feel about a gentleman in a nice restaurant asking “Excuse me, could you direct me to the urinal?” If you feel it would be fine then I guess you are justified in thinking Americans are uptight about the word “toilet”. If you find it to be rude, impolite, or bad manners then I’d say you’re just as uptight as you’re making the Americans out to be. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-with-the-word-toilet-in-the-us/501329/34 "2009-06-29T13:55:48Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > How would an Aussie or Kiwi feel about a gentleman in a nice restaurant asking “Excuse me, could you direct me to the urinal?” > If you feel it would be fine then I guess you are justified in thinking Americans are uptight about the word “toilet”. > If you find it to be rude, impolite, or bad manners then I’d say you’re just as uptight as you’re making the Americans out to be. Personally I wouldn’t have a problem with it. I think I may even have heard it. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-with-the-word-toilet-in-the-us/501329/35 "2009-06-29T13:56:56Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > Since when, and where? I’ve never in my life heard that from an American from any part of the country - I’ve only heard “toilet” to refer to “porcelain fixture on which you poop”. Wisconsin ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-with-the-word-toilet-in-the-us/501329/36 "2009-06-29T14:07:17Z")
“Where’s the jacks in here?” ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-with-the-word-toilet-in-the-us/501329/37 "2009-06-29T14:16:29Z")
> **[gkcd.com - This website is for sale! - Signs Resources...](http://signs.gkcd.com/print_dda_signage.php)** > > This website is for sale! gkcd.com is your first and best source for all of the information you’re looking for. From general topics to more of what you would expect to find here, gkcd.com has it all. We hope you find what you are searching for! > **[gkcd.com - This website is for sale! - Signs Resources...](http://signs.gkcd.com/print_public_information_signage.php)** > > This website is for sale! gkcd.com is your first and best source for all of the information you’re looking for. From general topics to more of what you would expect to find here, gkcd.com has it all. We hope you find what you are searching for! There are other serious signs out there using the word toilet. It’s not like there are not signs using the word toilet. [http://www.safety-signs.b-protected.com.au/signage/disabled-toilet-sign.htm](http://www.safety-signs.b-protected.com.au/signage/disabled-toilet-sign.htm) > **[Toilet Sign Image & Photo (Free Trial) | Bigstock](https://www.bigstockphoto.com/image-151201/stock-photo-toilet-sign)** > > Toilet Sign ---
**Author:** ![J\_Cubed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@J\_Cubed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/J_Cubed)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-with-the-word-toilet-in-the-us/501329/38 "2009-06-29T14:38:59Z")
[quote=“1920s Style “Death Ray”, post:23, topic:501329”] If you were to ask for the “bathroom” in Australia you may get directed to a room that has a basin, a bath, and a shower but no toilet! [/QUOTE] No danger of that in the USA, we wouldn’t have all that sans toilet fixture. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-with-the-word-toilet-in-the-us/501329/39 "2009-06-29T14:46:35Z")
> [@J\_Cubed](#): > > No danger of that in the USA, we wouldn’t have all that sans toilet fixture. So you would _always_ have a toilet in the bathroom? That’s common here but you also get places that have the toilet in a separate room in the general vicinity of the bathroom. That’s probably what it’s really about, asking for the bathroom doesn’t necessarily get you a room with a toilet over here, so it doesn’t make any sense to use it as a euphemism. ---
**Author:** ![Rayne\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@Rayne\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rayne_Man)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-with-the-word-toilet-in-the-us/501329/40 "2009-06-29T14:55:22Z")
For me a “restroom” would have to contain a bed or a couch so I can have a little lie-down. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-with-the-word-toilet-in-the-us/501329.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-with-the-word-toilet-in-the-us/501329.md?page=3)