The word toilet is used worldwide, yet countless alternative names exist across different regions, cultures and time periods. Many of these words developed organically through history, slang, maritime life, military traditions and even early plumbing innovations. This Bathroom Mountain guide explores the origins, meanings and linguistic evolution behind the most widely used alternative words for toilet.
Where Does the Word “Toilet” Come From?
The word toilet originates from the French word toilette, which referred to a small cloth used during grooming rituals. The term expanded to describe the entire process of washing, styling and preparing for the day. As chamber pots were typically used during these routines, toilette gradually became associated with the act of relieving oneself.
By the early twentieth century, the grooming meaning had disappeared, leaving toilet as the primary word for a sanitary fixture.
Bog
The slang word bog first appeared in the late eighteenth century, originally as “boghouse.” It most likely evolved from earlier British slang linked to defecation. Although informal, bog remains one of the most commonly used casual alternatives to toilets in the UK.
Cludgie
A distinctly Scottish term, cludgie refers to an outside toilet or traditional outhouse. It remains part of regional dialect, particularly in older properties and rural areas where outdoor facilities were once standard.
Comfort Room (CR)
In the Philippines, the term comfort room or CR is commonly used instead of toilet. The phrase reflects the same polite tone as restrooms in the United States, describing a place to refresh or compose oneself rather than the act itself.
Crapper
The word crapper is linked to Thomas Crapper, a Victorian-era manufacturer whose company produced widely used toilets and plumbing components. Although he did not invent the toilet, his name became informally associated with it, in much the same way that certain brand names become generic terms for products.
Dunny
Widely used in Australia, dunny originates from the British word dunnekin, meaning dung house. In early Australian settlements, a dunny was typically an outdoor toilet. The person responsible for emptying the waste was known as the dunnyman. The term remains a recognised part of Australian English today.
Head
In maritime contexts, the term head refers to the toilet on a ship. Early sailing vessels placed the toilet at the head, or bow, where ocean spray helped wash away waste. The first recorded use appeared in 1708 and the word continues to be used worldwide in naval settings.
House of Office
Popular during the seventeenth century, house of office described an outdoor toilet or separate privy building. Samuel Pepys used the term frequently in his diaries, providing detailed insights into how early facilities functioned.
The Jacks
Irish slang for toilet, the jacks derives from the older English term jakes. The connection between jakes, jacks and later “The John” shows how toilet terminology often evolved through similar linguistic pathways.
The John
This term honours Sir John Harrington, inventor of an early flushing toilet known as the Ajax. Harrington’s design and his humorous writings brought widespread attention to sanitation improvements. His first name eventually became an informal reference to the toilet.
Khazi
The word khazi, also spelled karzy or carsey, has several suggested origins. It may stem from Cockney slang, the Italian word casa meaning house, or the Swahili word for latrine. It gained widespread use during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and remains recognisable across the UK.
Latrine
The word latrine traces back to the Latin verb lavare, meaning to wash. Through French evolution, it became a term for basic sanitation structures. Today it is used mainly by the military to describe shared waste disposal facilities.
Lavatory
Also derived from lavare, the term lavatory originally referred to a washbasin. By the fourteenth century, it had adopted its modern meaning and is still commonly used in formal or public settings.
Loo
One of the most common British alternatives to toilet, loo likely developed from the French warning “garde à l’eau”, meaning “beware of the water.” This phrase was shouted before chamber pots were emptied into the street. Over time, it evolved into gardyloo and eventually became loo.
The Netty
A term from North East England, the netty is especially associated with Newcastle and Sunderland. Its precise origin remains unclear, though linguistic links to early graffiti or Roman inscriptions on Hadrian’s Wall have been suggested.
Pissoir
The word pissoir comes from the Middle French verb pisser, meaning to urinate. It is traditionally used to describe public urinals. Although less common in English, it appears when discussing European sanitation facilities.
Powder Room
In the United States, powder room became a common term during the Prohibition era, referring to women’s washrooms in bars and entertainment venues. The phrase implied a private, discreet place to freshen up. It is still used in some public buildings today.
Privy
The term privy originally described a private or hidden place. Over time, particularly in Scotland and Northern England, it came to mean an outdoor toilet or basic sanitation structure. Although rarely used today, it reflects early domestic sanitation practices.
Restroom
In American English, restroom is the most widely used equivalent of toilet. The term appeared in the early twentieth century to describe facilities where people could rest, refresh and wash. It remains the standard term across the United States.
Vin
A rare and somewhat aristocratic term, vin referred to early indoor toilets used by wealthy households. Some historians have linked the word to vin de toilette, though its exact origin remains uncertain. A small number of traditional private schools still use the term.
Water Closet (WC)
The phrase water closet was introduced in the 1870s and originally described early wash-down toilet systems. The abbreviation WC is still used extensively across Europe, Asia and Latin America for public signage and architectural drawings.
Modern Toilets and Changing Bathroom Design
Today’s toilets bear little resemblance to their historical predecessors. Modern bathrooms can include a wide range of toilet styles, including close-coupled toilets, back-to-wall toilets, wall-hung toilets, rimless pans, compact cloakroom solutions and dual-flush systems. These innovations offer improved hygiene, reduced water usage, easier cleaning and more attractive design options.
Whether updating a family bathroom or planning a new cloakroom, modern toilet designs provide excellent flexibility for homes of all sizes.
Summary
This article explores the many alternative words for toilet used across the UK and internationally. It explains how each term developed, from the French origins of toilette to regional slang such as bog, cludgie, dunny and netty. The guide also covers historical expressions including house of office, jacks, privy and water closet, as well as modern terms like restroom and comfort room. By examining linguistic history, social customs and cultural influences, the article highlights how the modern toilet has shaped language for centuries and continues to inspire new terminology today.
