Lesson 119--Where's the washroom?

 

 

A subject that has come up several times with my students is how to refer to the washroom.  As some of them found out on a trip to New York, this seems to be a Canadian word, and not commonly understood in the US.  Though I cannot be completely sure of this, I do know that there are a lot of names for that place.

In Public

The washroom (only in Canada)

the restroom

the powder room (used by women)

the Men's Room, the Ladies' Room

the boys' room, the girls' room

The little boys' room, the little girls' room

 

Having spent time in Europe, some other words come to mind

the WC (wash closet, or water closet)

the gents', the ladies'

the lavatory

the loo

 

in the military/navy

the latrine

the head (on a ship, in the navy)

I have also heard it called

the privy

the outhouse (though this was once a structure built outside, I have heard people use it for the room inside their house...though not frequently)

Surprisingly

It is sometimes called the john or the can.  No, I am not kidding.

 

My advice is to try them all and see which ones give you the best reaction.  If you know any others, do not hesitate to add them to the comments box... and don't worry if you want to comment anonymously.

 

 

Whatever you call it, these days toilet usually refers to the important piece of furniture in that room, and isn't usually referred to in public, but can be used among friends.