finding the fancy

Mar 2nd, 2008 by toryssa

Where did the word toilet come from? When did it start being used, and what does it mean? Why was it chosen to represent something that we use in that way?

All things Duncan is dying to know this weekend, and amidst my research, I’ve not found a suitable answer. I’ve been repeatedly rebuffed with, “Yes, maybe, but it’s still a weird word.”

So, do you happen to know the answers to these very pressing questions? If you do, I would be MUCH obliged.

If only so that we can stop talking about it already.

Posted in the Boy, wondering |

7 Responses to “inquiring minds are dying to know”

on 02 Mar 2008 at 7:09 pm Jamie

No idea, but it makes me wonder as well…
on 03 Mar 2008 at 9:18 am soapbox.SUPERSTAR

Not sure about the word, but there was an urban legend that Thomas Crapper invented the toilet. You can read up on that here. He should find that funny!
on 03 Mar 2008 at 5:12 pm Atomic Bombshell

I’m willing to bet the French had something to do with it.
on 03 Mar 2008 at 5:44 pm toryssa

The word comes from toilette, I think. A french word that means to wash. But that, it’s not a good enough answer, according to the Kid. Perhaps if we called a bidet a toilet, it would make more sense.
on 04 Mar 2008 at 1:41 am neuro-praxis

It does indeed come from the French word, but the French verb to wash is actually “laver”. The word “toilette” means much more than to simply wash - it means to brush your teeth, wash yourself, trim fingernails, pee, etc. All those things combined were the act of your “toilette” - something which a clean person would complete every day.
on 04 Mar 2008 at 7:33 pm Rochelle

I did a quick search and came up with these two sites

http://www.plumbingworld.com/toilethistoryindia.html

http://www.toiletology.com/history-01.shtml#History

might be worth the read to find an ansswer Duncan will accept?
on 05 Mar 2008 at 10:33 am pontiff alex

Toiletology!!!! Hahahahahahaha!!!!!! the world as we know it is now “COMPLETE”……..