Restroom versus bathroom

[easyrider]

Years ago, when I was learning English at school, we were taught that a bathroom is in a persons home, a restroom was in a restaurant and a lavatory was on a airplane, train or bus. The men's and women's room were in public buildings like school and the public rooms with showers are locker rooms. The powder room is a women's room. The washroom could be either men's or women's rooms.

I explained this to my son in law. He had never heard of this.

Bill

 

[DaveNV]

I've heard all those terms, but not in that context. Makes sense. Next time I go to the john to use the thunderbucket in the can, I'll think of you. LOL!

Dave

 

[silentg]

My grandmother used to say she was going to visit Mrs Murphy, we all thought she was going to a friend’s house. I was 4.

 

[rboesl]

Those are just US terms right? In Canada all I see is Washroom. And, when I visited Europe it was WC or Water Closet. There didn't seem to be any term distinction between men and women besides the pictures on the door.

 

[Sandy VDH]

In the US is it restrooms, period. Nobody here used the term bathroom or washroom in regular conversation. Funny thing, I bath or wash in there, but I seldom rest.

 

[b2bailey]

My British friend says 'loo' -- I like that.

 

[DeniseM]

In my area, we call private facilities in someone's home, the bathroom.

Also known as the mustard gas lab at my house...

 

[rapmarks]

We arrived as timeshare after a long ride. I inquired about a washroom and was led to a laundry facility

 

[easyrider]

In the US is it restrooms, period. Nobody here used the term bathroom or washroom in regular conversation. Funny thing, I bath or wash in there, but I seldom rest.

I had to think about the last time I asked where, when and how regarding using an unknown toilet. It was in Mexico and I said "Donde esta el bano" which means where is the bathroom. I guess the Spanish language has only one term for bathroom or rest room.

I don't remember ever asking anyone where the toilet is around here but I think if I'm at someone's house I say bathroom and at a restaurant I say restroom. I think the flight attendant called the toilet a restroom. I haven't heard the term lavatory used out loud ever in real life. I think my Canadian relatives say washroom even if its an outhouse.

Bill

 

[easyrider]

We arrived as timeshare after a long ride. I inquired about a washroom and was led to a laundry facility

Are you Canadian ?

Bill

 

[easyrider]

I've heard all those terms, but not in that context. Makes sense. Next time I go to the john to use the thunderbucket in the can, I'll think of you. LOL!

Dave

You probably remember the latrine.

Bill

 

[DaveNV]

You probably remember the latrine.

Bill

Navy called it the Head. Latrine is more an Army thing, I think. Same place, though.

Dave

 

[Talent312]

Navy called it the Head. Latrine is more an Army thing, I think. Same place, though.

Not eggsactly. One is one a boat; the other is on dry land.

In a private home, it's a bathroom 'cuz there is... a bathtub...
Unless it's a half-bath. Half-baths do not have half a bathtub.
.

 

[GrayFal]

I feel like lavatory was used by the nuns in my Catholic grammar school in the 60's.

 

[PigsDad]

I think the flight attendant called the toilet a restroom. I haven't heard the term lavatory used out loud ever in real life.

Hmm. I'll have to double check next time, but my experience has been that flight attendants have always used the term lavatory. "There are two lavatories, forward and rear."

In the US is it restrooms, period. Nobody here used the term bathroom or washroom in regular conversation. Funny thing, I bath or wash in there, but I seldom rest.

But for homes, it is definitely bathroom. Have you ever seen a house advertised in the US as a "3 bedroom, 2 restroom"?

Kurt

 

[rapmarks]

I feel like lavatory was used by the nuns in my Catholic grammar school in the 60's.

I was just recalling my childhood and then I saw this. Yes, lavatory was added to vocabulary by nuns along with purgatory and plenary indulgences.

 

[JeffC]

In Spain I asked for the “bano” and got a quizzical look. They use “servicio” for public restrooms.

 

[DaveNV]

Not eggsactly. One is one a boat; the other is on dry land.

I don't think the Navy had that much distinction. It was "the head" regardless of location. Sailors are consistent, if nothing else.

Dave

 

[klpca]

Those are just US terms right? In Canada all I see is Washroom. And, when I visited Europe it was WC or Water Closet. There didn't seem to be any term distinction between men and women besides the pictures on the door.

I cannot remember if it was our trip to Italy or the Germany/Switzerland trip, but WC or Water Closet didn't elicit any response but saying the word "toilet" did the trick - when I found it even the sign said "toilet". Which in my world is a fixture inside of the bathroom but when in Rome...

And definitely "lav" on a plane, head on a boat, bathroom in a home, and restroom in public places in the US.

 

[TheHolleys87]

Oh my, this makes me remember my first day in first grade! The teacher told us she was taking us to the restroom. Having just “graduated” from kindergarten, I wondered why we would take our naps in a different room from the classroom. I was surprised to find out the “restroom” was the same as a “bathroom.”

 

[Bill4728]

I feel like lavatory was used by the nuns in my Catholic grammar school in the 60's.

YES That what I recall too.

 

[Cornell]

Don't forget the powder room.

 

[tschwa2]

When I was 8 we took a trip to Ireland. We were having a pub lunch. I asked where the bathroom was. The woman was very confused and asked if I wanted to take a bath and directed me to a room that had a bathtub and nothing else. After that I was instructed to ask for a toilet if that's what I wanted.

 

[klpca]

Don't forget the powder room.

Yep. Can't bathe in that room...just powder your nose.

 

[klpca]

Btw I love that the potty talk on TUG is so civilized lol.