toilet

[Guest Yau]

when most french words migrates into english, the meaning often become noble, except toilette.

I asked 'where's the toilet?' in San Francisco. The staff said "Toilet?" I noticed his face muscle prepared to make a laugh. It's so strange.

What'd you say if you look for a toilet?

Restroom, bathroom or W.C. ..?

[Claw]

In the U.S., the way to say it is usually "where is the restroom?" In Canada, it's "where is the washroom?" I don't know about other English-speaking countries.

[Quest]

never ask for "the toilet" in the u.s. People say restroom or bathroom depending on the place and the situation.

[xuechengfeng]

One thing you should never ask for is the bathhouse, especially in San Francisco!!!!!!!!!!

[geraldc]

In polite society I'd use the term restroom or bathroom.

If I was with friends, I'd ask where the bog, pisser or loo was (especially if I was in a pub I didn't know).

[woodcutter]

Eh, Gerald? Asking for the restroom in the UK? I don't know why, but that particular Americanism grates a little. When I worked in the tourist centre on Lower Regent St, I was always tempted to say, "The restroom? Why, do you feel tired, you great lummox?". Good job I left that job!

When in Britain, "the toilet" will do just fine.

[Guest Yau]

actually how do american generally feel about the word 'toilet'?

rude? impolite?

[chengdude]

The logical answer would be that "toilet" refers to the actual ceramic (or steel, if you're in jail) receptacle used to receive a variety of bodily by-products. "Bathroom/restroom/washroom" refers to the place you'll find the toilet...unless your in jail again, in which case the place would be "the corner." Thus, in asking "Where's the toilet?" you leave yourself open for a smartass reply of "In the bathroom."

The more complicated answer would probably include much about shame and America's Puritan heritage...but yes, in general, "toilet" is a rather blunt term.

[sunyata]

it's really strange, because if you look at the origin of the word "toilet", it is not vulgar at all...so I think it was perhaps not American Puritanism that was responsible for this idiocy, but ignorance

[ExpatObserver]

In French Canada though, "Ou sont les toilettes?" (Where is the washroom) is the norm.

[Chappie]

What about WC? or is that not an english word... ?

[marcopolo79]

WC in America is guaranteed to get the following reaction

??????

The average American would be completely clueless as to what you're referring to.

But that's nothing compared to the reaction I get from my friends from the UK when I tell them about my Great Aunt Fanny.

[Chappie]

never mind ill stick it with the shit/pee-area.

[ExpatObserver]

Thank God for chengdude otherwise we would have never known what the toilet is called in a jail. Is it chnegdude or jaildude?

Chappie WC is just an acronym for Water Closet. Don't ask me how that name came about. I got to go pee.

[Chappie]

I thought so it was an bloody english word. Ill stick it with the true... english instead of french words(toilet). Restroom :S let me think of bedroom. bathroom... a room with a bathtub, wheere you brush your teeth and such.

We should use sanitary room! (talking crap now)

[lpascoe]

While I was in Vancouver, I did volunteer work for a youth hostel, taking groups of backpackers out to pubs. Explaining to fellow Aussies how to ask where the toilet is, whilst in Canada, never failed to amuse me.

Me: Say 'bathroom' or 'washroom'. Asking about the 'toilet' is considered crass here.

Aussie: <snort and look of disbelief> But I don't want to take a bath. I want to go to the toilet. If the toilet was in the f*@#ing kitchen, that's where I'd want to go!

But the best sign for the toilet I saw in a Vancouver club was 'facilities'!?! I'd assumed it was for cleaning equipment or something, until I went and looked, after failing to find the toilet anywhere else.

[Chappie]

Now you know why I like the Aussies

[wenjing*girl]

Lol, when I first came to CHina people were talking about the WC and doing this strange action that looked like an "ok" .... I didn't know what the heck a WC was until I came here... shoot.. I call it the bathroom. lol

[liuzhou]

WC tends to be a written sign. I have never actually heard anyone say it other then tongue in cheek. I was very surprised when I came to China and heard people say it.

That said, when I was first learning Chinese and have trouble getting my mouth round that 'c' sound in pinyin, it was a great relief (sometimes literally) to find that WC was generally understood, especially when mime written on your hand (with legs crossed.)

[wenjing*girl]

At a nearby tourist attraction there is a sign out side the bathroon translated into English saying, "please pay attention to slip"