Why are restrooms called 'bathrooms', even though there is no baths?

shady shaker

I wonder why restrooms are called "restrooms". Call them what they are - toilets. Why the reluctance to use this word "toilet"? Americans never go to the toilet - they're forever going to the bathroom, even though they are not going there to have a bath! Get real! Add "toilet" to your vocabulary, if it isn't already there! Mar 12 05, 6:59 AM

kaylofgorons

? I've heard of the "water closet" and that doesn't make sense to us, either. My "bathroom" does have a bath in it. I might not be using it, but it is the largest feature of the the room. If I'm trying to emphasize the need for a pitstop, I'll tell them "I NEED to use the toilet!" It's certainly in the vocabulary. Mar 12 05, 9:03 AM

peasypod

'Toilet' is crass shady, 'loo' sounds far more dainty. Mar 12 05, 9:06 AM

peasypod

....Or perhaps 'The little girls room' would suit? Mar 12 05, 9:09 AM

kaylofgorons

Yes, toilet isn't very polite. Only for use in desperate situations! "The ladies' room" is often used around here--but only by us girls. Guys just say, "excuse me," and walk off. Mar 12 05, 9:13 AM

mibmob

I remember in the second Harry Potter film they referred to the girls' bathroom when they meant lavvies. It was so out of place and so obviously American. Mar 12 05, 9:23 AM

coolio_daniel_uk

the lavatory Mar 12 05, 9:32 AM

kaylofgorons

"Where did all this water come from? Did someone flood the boy's bathroom again?" lol. Sorry, random quotation. Mar 12 05, 9:35 AM

Flynn_17

The Germans have a very good way of expressing it. They just say 'ich muss' and walk off. It means 'I must', and it's the only time you can use a conditional verb without an object. Mar 12 05, 3:28 PM

shady shaker

Mibby's classical education probably means that the toilet at her place is called the cloacca! Mar 12 05, 4:47 PM

Flynn_17

Should that not be 'cloaca'? Mar 12 05, 4:54 PM

shady shaker

In Mibby's case, you are right, Flynn. "Cloaca" is the FEMALE toilet. "Cloacca", of course, refers to the MALE toilet. Mar 12 05, 5:12 PM

Flynn_17

Is that where the nickname 'the clo' comes from? (As well as the German short-form for a toilet, 'Der Klo'?) Mar 12 05, 5:16 PM

Baloo55th

What's wrong with 'the bog'? Mar 13 05, 3:54 PM

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