American WC's

[FP]

Going back to the earlier question about WC's - why do American's call toilets 'bathrooms'. A question some time ago Animals and Nature asked 'When my cat goes to the bathroom......', meaning when my cat does a wee. Is it that Americans are more prudish than the British and feel embarrassed to talk about bodily functions.

[worder]

Americans prudish? no, we are not. one reason is you have to call it something, two, that is where the bathtub is. same for toilet, that's where the toilet is. it does not bother me either way. besides i do not necessarily use the toilet every time i go in, so maybe i feel more comfortable saying i'm going to the bathroom. and about being embarrased, you just have to turn on the TV and see all the commercials about herpes medications, homorroids medications, etc, and you'll know that no, we are not embarrsed to talk about anything. oh, another thing that comes to mind is that most Americans who own cats keep them indoors all the time, and the bathroom is where the litter box is kept, at least by most of the cat owners i know. i'm not sure how it is in the UK, but that's just how it is all over the US. they keep them indoors, mostly because people are at work for several hours a day, that way cats won't get lost or in cat fights with stray cats, or worse, get hit by a car, and killed, as it happened to one my cats.

[archbishop]

GAB - worder

[Hellion]

I'm more intrigued as to where the word 'john' for bathroom/loo/lavatory/wc/bog comes from!

[worder]

hellion, there is a brief explanation of why johns are called that on the online etymology dictionary, might want to look it up. i think it's an interesting site.

[Kay]

Toilet was a term used by the victorians whilst bathing,having their hair brushed by their maids,putting on cologne etc.The term" Madam is at her toilet" was used,hence the word toiletries for soap,perfumes etc.The Lavatory was invented by Thomas Crapper!!

[FP]

Thanks worder. Come to think of it, I keep my cat litter tray in the bathroom. I don't really think Americans are prudish, I was just being lighthearted. And by the way, *GAB*.

[Bohne]

For one, I think Americans are prudish. At least the ones I met. My sister-in-law was terribly upset, when she caught me in underwear and a T-Shirt one day, when she was visiting. Also, for some reason I always say bathroom, too, even though I learned most of my English in London. Just reminds me of one occation, when I was in a Greek (I think) restaurant and asked for the bathroom. The waiter looked at me funny, and after me repeating my request, he said: O, you mean the toilet? I thought that was funny... ;o)