Why is a toilet called a John?

Author: Sheridan Kassulke  |  Last update: Sunday, August 31, 2025

Sir John Harington 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. His mother was a member of the Queen's chamber.

Why do people call toilets the John?

The word “john” for toilet has a fascinating history. It comes from terms like “jakes” and “jack,” common in medieval England. These names were for public toilets used by everyone, linking everyday life with cleanliness. Language has changed over time, leading to “john” for restrooms.

What does John mean in the bathroom?

(dʒɒn ) noun. mainly US and Canadian a slang word for lavatory (sense 1)

Why is a toilet sometimes called a head?

The head is the bathroom, and the term comes from the fact that in old square-rigged sailing ships, the wind was almost always from astern (Connell and Mack). Therefore, Sailors would go to the "head" of the ship so as to not relieve themselves "into the wind."

What do southerners call the toilet?

We called it commode or tur-let in the NOLA area growing up. My southern grandma called the bathroom the lavatory too.

Why is The Toilet Commonly Known as the Crapper (or John)?

What is the vulgar word for 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 the redneck term for bathroom?

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 do the Marines call the bathroom?

Head. Latrine or toilet. Oorah. Motivational shout uttered by Marines. Passageway.

What was a toilet called in Victorian times?

The Privy. A privy was basically an unlined cesspool in the ground with a wooden hut built over it. A wooden shelf stretched across, with a nice, bottom sized hole in the middle. You sat here and did your business, with your waste dropping down into the hole.

What is the polite word for toilet?

'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”.

Why is a toilet called a bog?

One of the most commonly known and albeit, cruder terms has to be the “bog”. To simply put it, the term “bog” comes from quite a literal sense back in 1789 from the 'boghouse', which is British slang meaning to defecate. We warned you it was literal!

What is John slang for?

(slang, US) A device or place to urinate and defecate: now usually a toilet or lavatory, but also (dated) a chamber pot or outhouse.

Why are toilets called crappers?

The toilets displayed the company logo 'Thomas Crapper & Co Ltd'. The US soldiers stationed in England at the time started referring to the toilet as “the Crapper” and brought that slang term back with them to the United States. The slang word for toilet became more widely taken up and is still being used today.

What is a potty john?

A portable or mobile toilet (colloquial terms: thunderbox, porta-john, porta-potty or porta-loo) is any type of toilet that can be moved around, some by one person, some by mechanical equipment such as a truck and crane.

What do sailors call the toilet?

The term “head” used for a marine toilet started because of the location of the toilet on the earliest sailing ships. For crewmen, the facilities were located at the head of the ships. The front of ships had a figurehead: a carved wooden figure or bust fitted on the bow of the ship.

What does 96 mean in the military?

In the Marine Corps a three-day weekend is called a “72” and a four-day weekend is called a “96” 21. The Marine Corps mascot is an English bulldog named Chesty.

What does pizza box mean in the Marines?

Lowest “marksman” badge for a Marine shooting pistol or rifle. It's a square target that looks like the shape of a pizza box.

What is a green weenie in the military?

Green Weenie – When a service member has the full power of the institution inject itself (normally through the anus without consent) which often results in dire consequences for the service member. Greens – service uniforms in reference to their color.

What is a female pirate called?

It's difficult to know what female pirates were called. Many disguised themselves as men to be able to fit into pirate crews undetected. Female pirates were a minority – and openingly female pirates – even rarer. In today's popular culture you can find references to girl pirates, women pirates, she-pirates and so on.

What is a slang 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)

How did pirates wipe their bottoms?

That maybe where the name Ships Head originated. Instead of Toilet Paper there was a long, poo-smeared rope that snaked through the hole in the Seats of Ease. The frayed end of the rope dangled in the sea and could be hauled up and used to wipe oneself clean.

What is a hotty potty?

It is scientifically designed to give the posture and efficiency of natural squatting while using the modern day western toilet. Hotty Potty helps align the rectum with the anal canal, resulting in a more natural elimination position.

What is a Jill bathroom?

A Jack and Jill Bathroom is a bathroom that has two doors and is usually accessible from two bedrooms.

What is the Southern slang for drunk people?

Cooter Brown. Cooter Brown, sometimes given as Cootie Brown, is a name used in metaphors and similes for drunkenness, mostly in the Southern United States.

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