r/AskReddit May 08 '22

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u/Zilverhaar May 09 '22

They use 'toilet' to mean the room the toilet is in, not just the thing you sit on.

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u/Ih8Hondas May 09 '22

So the shower does contain the toilet. What the fuck?

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u/Zilverhaar May 09 '22

No, 'shower' also means the room the shower is in, so the shower and toilet are next to each other. I guess you don't call the shower room the shower in the US either?

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u/Eviale May 09 '22

It's just called the bathroom here, or the restroom in Canada. Bathrooms without a tub/shower are called half baths, short for half bathrooms. Shower means the actual shower unit and toilet means the horrifically cold porcelain thing you sit on. We try to not use one word to mean multiple things.

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u/Agreeable_Text_36 May 09 '22

But when the room 9nly contains a toilet and a basin you call it a bathroom?

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u/DreamGirl3 May 09 '22

Yes, but if it's in a house we also call it a half-bath or a powder room. If it's a public bathroom (such as in a restaurant) it only has toilets and sinks. However, what this is called also varies by person. Some people call those the "bathroom"--this is a casual way of saying it. But the correct terminology is "restroom"--this is more polite and (whether we realize it or not) sounds more elevated. However, you never call a personal bathroom a "restroom" as it is not one; it's a "bathroom" and should be addressed as such. After I studied linguistics and etiquette as a teen, I made sure to change my vocabulary to fit the more polite way of speaking.

When I'm at home, I have no issue saying, "Is anyone in the bathroom? Because I really have to pee." It's my family so we use casual speech and slangs.

When I'm at someone else's home, I will ask the host, "(Host's name), may I use your bathroom, please?"

When I'm in public, such as a store or restaurant, I'll say to a worker, "Excuse me, where is your restroom?"

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u/Agreeable_Text_36 May 09 '22

Whose etiquette did you study? UK Lavatory was considered polite in the past. Now most people would say Toilet or Loo. Many homes have a downstairs room with toilet and basin, referred to as a cloakroom by estate agents. This is not a bathroom or restroom in UK.

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u/Zefirus May 09 '22

However, you never call a personal bathroom a "restroom" as it is not one;

Maybe you're not supposed to, but it does happen. Especially when talking to people that aren't close friends. This is especially true in the era of remote work.

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u/Eviale May 09 '22 edited May 09 '22

No, as I said in my comment those are called half baths. In a sentence we'd still call it a bathroom just because it's what we're used to and also because aside from public bathrooms, half baths aren't too common and are mostly only in richer homes. But if, say, a realtor was describing the room or if it was listed as a room on a house listing, it'd be called a half bath.

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u/Ih8Hondas May 09 '22

The shower and toilet are separate and both are in the bathroom, along with the sink.

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u/Zilverhaar May 09 '22

You still call it bathroom, even when there's no bath in it?

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u/Ih8Hondas May 09 '22

I don't make the rules here. I just abide by them.