What do Southerners call the toilet?

Author: Dr. Wilfredo Waters  |  Last update: Monday, January 5, 2026

“Commode” While the commode may sound like the fancy captain's quarters on a cruise ship, it's really just another word for the toilet. You're more likely to hear a Southerner say this phrase than restroom or potty. However, a Southern belle may still call the bathroom the powder room.

What is the Southern term for toilet?

Powder room, commode

A less genteel Southern-ism for the bathroom is “commode.” While more widely it's used to refer to a ship's bathroom, in the South, it's just any toilet, land-bound or not.

What is a slang name for a toilet?

Crapper. A rather more vulgar word for toilet is 'crapper'. First appearing in 1932, crapper became a popular alternative word for toilet thanks to the Thomas Crapper & Co Ltd company that manufactured toilets.

What is a nickname for a toilet?

The loo, the latrine, the lavatory — the nicknames for the porcelain throne are endless!

Why do some people say commode instead of toilet?

Why is Toilet Called the Commode? The term 'commode' originated from the French word for 'convenient' or 'suitable'. In historical times, commodes were decorative pieces of furniture hiding a chamber pot.

25 words true Southerners Say - True Southern Accent

What is the most polite word for 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 do the British call a toilet?

The Loo. Loo is an informal yet polite British term for toilet. The word “loo” has interesting origins and can be traced back to Medieval Europe, when chamber pots had to be emptied from bedroom windows onto the street below.

What is a nicer word for toilet?

latrine lavatory outhouse restroom. Strong matches. can commode head john potty privy throne W.C. washroom.

What are female toilets called?

women's restroom (noun as in women's room)

How do you say toilet in a classy way?

'Washroom' is another formal word that most English speakers will understand. It is mostly used in the USA. 'Restroom' is a safe term to use in the United States and won't offend anyone. When traveling on ​motorways​, signs may appear announcing “rest stops”.

What is a rude word for toilet?

crapper (taboo, slang) dunny (Australian, New Zealand, old-fashioned, informal) people who don't wash their hands after using the dunny. water closet. khazi (slang)

What do aussies call toilet paper?

Let's start properly. The usual alternative to toilet paper is toilet tissue, which makes it sound much softer. And of course lavatory paper, loo paper and dunny paper. As an aside, dunny has been immortalised in a number of slang phrases.

What is a men's toilet called?

A urinal (US: /ˈjʊərənəl/, UK: /jʊəˈraɪnəl/) is a sanitary plumbing fixture similar to a toilet, but for urination only. Urinals are often provided in men's public restrooms in Western countries (less so in Muslim countries).

What do you call a western toilet?

Sitting toilets are often referred to as "western-style toilets". Sitting toilets are more convenient than squat toilets for people with disabilities and the elderly.

Is house shoes a southern term?

House Shoes: This term is frequently used in the southern states to describe indoor footwear. Moccasins: Refers to a style of slipper that resembles the traditional Native American footwear, often made from soft leather or suede.

What is the naval term for toilet?

In sailing vessels, the head is the ship's toilet. The name derives from sailing ships in which the toilet area for the regular sailors was placed at the head or bow of the vessel.

Why do Southerners call a toilet a commode?

The term originates in the vocabulary of French furniture from about 1700. At that time, a commode meant a cabinet or chest of drawers, low enough so that it sat at the height of the dado rail (à hauteur d'appui). It was a piece of veneered case furniture much wider than it was high, raised on high or low legs.

What is the old word for toilet?

latrine (slang) outhouse (rural slang) lavatory. throne (colloquial)

What is a fancy toilet called?

Besides France, bidets are common in other European countries such as Italy and Portugal. You can also find them in South American countries such as Argentina and Venezuela, and you'll find some very fancy ones used in Japan. In recent times, bidets have begun to become more common in the United States.

What is American slang for toilet?

Most of us call it a “toilet”. It can also be slangily referred to as “the throne”, “a commode”, “potty”, “pot”, “John” or “Johnny”, in some situations, it's a “latrine”, or “restroom”, or “Ladies' or Mens' room”. There are many ways to say it. You won't hear “water closet” or “Loo” used much in the US.

What is a nicer word for peeing?

Pass water, go to the toilet, wet yourself, answer the call of nature, relieve yourself.

What is the fanciest way to say toilet?

Synonyms of toilet
  • bathroom.
  • restroom.
  • lavatory.
  • bath.
  • washroom.
  • potty.
  • latrine.
  • loo.

What do Australians call the bathroom?

Loo or dunny - Thesea are slang term for toilet. If you are a guest in someone's house for the first time, it is usually polite to ask permission to use his or her toilet. 'May I use your toilet please?'

What are bathrooms called in Canada?

This room is commonly known as a "bathroom" in American English, a "lavatory" or "loo" in the United Kingdom, a "washroom" in Canadian English, and by many other names across the English-speaking world.

Previous article
How do you treat water damage under kitchen sink?
Next article
Can you run AC at 50 degrees?