Is their a reason why ‘toilet’ seems to be a taboo word and replaced by ‘bathroom’ which, in many cases, don’t have baths in them?
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.Perhaps people do not want to speak French so they don't call it a toilet. They opt to speak Roman which is where the word bath comes from.
azzow2
Level 9
July 31, 2019
0
Probably not as bath is derived from German but whatever 
If someone says they are going to the toilet we know exactly what they are going to do and it is an embarrassing and unmentionable action.
If they say they are going to the washroom or bathroom there is the possibility, however slight, that they are only going to clean up a bit. We can politely assume that’s all they have in mind—it’s less stressful for us sensitive types. 
WilliamFleming
Level 8
July 31, 2019
1
Where, exactly, is "toilet" a taboo word? Interestingly, Ii books from just a few decades ago "toileting" meant getting cleaned up & ready for the day....brushing teeth, getting dressed, hair arranged, etc...
AnneWimsey
Level 9
July 31, 2019
0
A toilet was actually a dressing table before prudish people adopted the word to mean a room for excreting. It gives new meaning to the phrase “cleaning out one’s drawers”, don’t you think? “Toilet” has a frenchy sound to it that makes it less offensive.
Why is it that some germanic based words are strongly taboo and can even get you arrested or thrown off a forum but you can say the exact same thing with words derived from French or Latin and you’ll be applauded and thought an intellectual?
Will someone please explain that.
WilliamFleming
Level 8
July 31, 2019
1
@Allamanda So those snooty Normans didn’t want to hear obscene babbling from the low-life underclass.
@powder Everyone poops...
@powder ha ha indeed...we are a prudish bunch it seems...it is ridiculous how "polite" society is code for shaming all sorts of bodily functions...
@thinktwice
I’m not sure it’s all about shame. There are certain genres of imagery that I’m happy not to have forced into my awareness at a given moment, like not talking about disgusting things at the dinner table, etc. Maybe there’s an element of genuine consideration for the feelings of others?
@WilliamFleming it was more a class thing. Besides why would the occupying force need to speak the local vernacular. The same with the Romans.
The most fascinating point for me is that Chaucer wrote Canterbury Tales in English. In the High Middle Ages very few people read English. This is the time of the Romance languages such as French and Spanish, with Latin used for formal writing.
So an epic work written in a course, non-romantic language that ver few people had the ability to read.
Intriguing!
@skado Of course....but why even announce it...excuse yourself and leave...people know but don't want to know the details...I was talking in terms of general discussion if it is warranted...not a subject that comes up often enough among adults, I hope...
Not taboo in the UK...we always say toilet ...or loo! As you say, bathrooms are what we have at home where we go to bathe in a room which has a bath. Toilets are what we have in public places such as restaurants.
Marionville
Level 10
July 31, 2019
2
You know I spent one summer with a bunch of young British women and they said "loo" I wonder if the origin is "L'eau" being "water"? It would make sense. A place you find running water.
And yes by the end of the summer I was saying "loo" too.
@RavenCT Ha, ha....yes!
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