Ultimate Guide to Toilet Slang – 20+ Informal Terms from Around the World

Complete Guide to Toilet Slang 

(With Examples & Origins)

1. Common English Slang Terms

- Loo (UK/Australia)

- Example: "Just popping to the loo—back in a mo!"

- Origin: Possibly from French "lieux" (places) or "waterloo"

- John (US)

- Example: "I'll meet you in 5—gotta visit the John."

- Origin: Named after Sir John Harington, inventor of the flush toilet

- Bog (UK/Ireland, informal)

- Example: "Ugh, the bog at this pub is disgusting!"

- Origin: Refers to the bog-like smell

2. Polite Euphemisms

- Restroom (US formal)

- Example: "Excuse me, where's the restroom?"

- Powder Room (US/UK, feminine)

- Example: "She's in the powder room touching up her makeup."

- Facilities (Very formal)

- Example: "May I use the facilities before we begin?"

3. Humorous/Playful Terms

- Throne

- Example: "King of the throne" (for someone taking too long)

- Porcelain Palace

- Example: "Off to the porcelain palace after that dodgy curry!"

- Reading Room

- Example: "He's in his reading room with the newspaper."

4. Regional Variations

- Dunny (Australia/NZ)

- Example: "Check for spiders before using the dunny!"

- Netty (North England)

- Example: "Gan te the netty, pet." (Geordie dialect)

- Khazi (UK, from Romani "kazí")

- Example: "The khazi at this club is proper minging!"

5. Workplace/Special Contexts

- Latrine (military/camping)

- Head (nautical term)

- Lavvy (UK, shortened from "lavatory")

6. Outdated/Vintage Slang

- Water Closet (WC) (still used in Europe)

- Privy (old-fashioned outdoor toilet)

- Outhouse (US rural term)

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Fun Facts About Toilet Slang

- The word "loo" might come from the French "lieux d'aisances" (places of comfort)

- "John" became popular because early US toilets were often branded "Jakes" → "Jakes' house" → "John"

- Australians say "dunny" from the British dialect "dunnakin" (dung house)

Which one will YOU use? 😉 Next time you need the toilet, try:

- "I need to see a man about a horse" (idiomatic)

- "Nature calls!" (universal)

Want even MORE obscure terms? Ask about:

- Historical slang (e.g., "garderobe" – medieval toilet)

- Corporate jargon (e.g., "bio break")

- Kids' terms (e.g., "potty")