Bathroom Euphemisms
Ever notice that there is quite a bit of euphemism when it comes to bathrooms and the related activities within?
Indeed, even the word "bathroom" itself is a euphemism. There are several other words of varying candor that also refer to the room in which we perform our personal hygiene and excretory functions, such as washroom, lavatory, latrine, head, WC, powder room, men's/ladies' room, can, and the ultimate in obfuscation, "rest room". I can assure you that I never visit one of these facilities in order to "rest"!
Some euphemisms go overboard in masking what the true function of certain common bathroom items are. When you go to the store to buy toilet paper, the package always refers to it as "bathroom tissue". What on Earth is so vulgar about "toilet paper" that it needs to be referred to as "bathroom tissue" so as not to offend sensitive ears. I mean they COULD be calling it "shit paper" -- it seems as if "toilet paper" would be sufficiently genteel.
Using the bathroom has its own set of euphemisms as well. We commonly say I'm "going to the bathroom", not only to mean we are walking to that room, but also to refer to the actual excretory acts themselves. Those of us who are more blunt will say I've got to go pee, take a leak, take a whiz, take a piss, drain the hose, and so on. We also take a dump, take a crap, take a shit, go poop, etc. If we really want to be vague about it, we tell people we've got to go see a man about a dog.
Can you name some more bathroom euphemisms?
You seem to have them covered. I do tell people who say, "I'm going to
take a dump", to please not take it anywhere, I'd prefer that you leave it
in the toilet.
"I have to go to the office and do some paperwork."
We ladies occasionally have to "powder our noses." In Europe, it's often
just called "the toilet" in whatever language. That works. I usually say
"the loo."
Hahah, did you spend some quality time doing nature's business today? Also,
you completely forgot about Crapper. Where would toilets be with out John
Crapper...
Arg! Even in blog land there is talk about bathrooms! We are in the process
of remodeling ours and the only thing we can agree on is the color blue! We
have no idea what will be blue, but that was the color we picked. Who knew
there were so many fricken toilets to pick from?
In the movie The Shawshank Redemption, one of the prison guards used the
disgusting phrase, I gotta go pinch off a loaf.
As you may recall, I did an entire post on this topic. My usual statement
is that I'll be making a "Major Transaction" or a "Minor
Transaction".
