What was an old fashioned toilet called?

Garderobes and public toilets were eventually replaced by the "commode", a box with a seat and a lid covering a porcelain or copper pot to catch the waste (Marie Antoinette's commode, below right).


What were old toilets called?

Garderobes. Garderobes were the Middle Age's term for what we refer to as restrooms. They contain only a toilet and sink, and were mostly found in Medieval castles. Waste from garderobes would drop directly into a sewage pit below, called a cesspit.

What did Victorians call the toilet?

We've looked into the stories behind a handful of them. The WC - Still in use today, the abbreviation WC stems from the term “water closet” which is what we used to call toilets in the Victorian era.


What were toilets called in medieval times?

Medieval toilets, just as today, were often referred to by a euphemism, the most common being 'privy chamber', just 'privy' or 'garderobe'. Other names included the 'draught', 'gong', 'siege-house', 'neccessarium', and even 'Golden Tower'.

What was a toilet called in a castle?

In the medieval period luxury castles were built with indoor toilets known as 'garderobes', and the waste dropped into a pit below.


A brief history of toilets - Francis de los Reyes



What is toilet in Old English?

The word was originally used for a wrapper or covering for clothes and later for a cloth put over the shoulders while dressing the hair or shaving. From the "shoulder cloth" sense, toilet came to refer first to a cloth covering a dressing table (or vanity) then to the articles on the table, then to the table itself.

What is a nickname for a toilet?

pisser (coarse slang) pooper (slang) porcelain god (slang) porcelain goddess (slang) pot.

Which word is British slang for a toilet?

THE LOO. The 'loo' is very common in the UK & Ireland, and is a safe and polite way to say toilet.


What were toilets called in the 1800s?

Water Closet

In the 1870s, most folks did their business—as infrequently as possible—in two ways: in a hole in the ground, or in a chamber pot (often concealed in a “commode,” “cabinet chair,” or box-like “close stool”).

What were toilets called in the 1700s?

Wealthier households might have an earth closet, a kind of dry toilet which ensured that waste was buried in soil, and virtually every dwelling had at least one chamber pot or a bourdaloue, which would be emptied into a cesspit (by a servant, if you were lucky).

What are four other names for the toilet?

  • latrine.
  • lavatory.
  • outhouse.
  • restroom.
  • can.
  • commode.
  • head.
  • john.


What were bathrooms called in the 1700s?

The outhouse of the 1770s was known as a “necessary,” or a “privy.” Benjamin Franklin's brick-lined “privy pit” is even marked at the spot of his former Philadelphia residence of 1787.

What do the Scottish call a toilet?

For the uninitiated, cludgie is a Scottish word meaning “toilet”, although probably not to be used in the politest of companies.

What do posh people call the toilet?

Toilet. This was on the original 1950s list and, to be honest, I'd rather chew glass than use the word toilet in polite conversation. It's a harsh word that was adapted from the French toilette which means your appearance, hence toiletries bag. Lavatory or loo is much more acceptable.


What is a toilet called in Australia?

dunny – a toilet, the appliance or the room – especially one in a separate outside building. This word has the distinction of being the only word for a toilet which is not a euphemism of some kind. It is from the old English dunnykin: a container for dung. However Australians use the term toilet more often than dunny.

What is Western toilet called?

Flush toilets can be designed for sitting (in which case they are also called "Western" toilets) or for squatting, in the case of squat toilets.

What is the most polite way to say toilet?

'Lavatory' is a good option for people looking for a very formal word to use in very formal occasions​.


What is the Roman word for toilet?

The word “latrine,” or latrina in Latin, was used to describe a private toilet in someone's home, usually constructed over a cesspit. Public toilets were called foricae. They were often attached to public baths, whose water was used to flush down the filth.

What do Europeans call a toilet?

What is toilet called in Europe? Most European countries are short on public restrooms, but I can teach you how to sniff out a biffy in a jiffy. If you ask for a "restroom" or "bathroom," you'll get no relief. Instead, say "Toilet" or "WC" (short for Water Closet); these terms are direct, simple, and understood.

What did they call the bathroom in the 1920s?

Evidently the word “water closet” was widely used when referencing the toilet.


What does Germany call a toilet?

The bathroom is the “Badezimmer” in German and the “toilet” is the “Toilette”.

What is a toilet called in Dutch?

In Dutch there are two words for it: toilet and wc. Mag ik even naar de wc?

Why do Americans call a toilet a John?

The name “John” was later derived from “Jake” and “Jack.” Secondly but most notable amongst historians, John was the name of the first man credited with inventing the first flushing toilet. John Harington was born during the time in which Queen Elizabeth reigned.


What are bathrooms called in England?

In the UK, there are many words which refer to the toilet. 'Loo', 'bathroom' and 'restroom' are some of the most commonly used ones. Another word you may hear is 'lavatory' but this is quite an old fashioned word.

What is a fancy word for bathroom?

bathroom
  • lavatory.
  • powder room.
  • restroom.
  • toilet.
  • washroom.
  • water closet.
  • shower room.
  • bath.