American slang terms for toilet include things like “the can”, “the john”, and more polite euphemisms like “restroom” or “washroom”. In some cases it may be referred to as the “water closet”. Other terms which are used but are less common in the States than elsewhere include words like “the crapper” or the “outhouse”.
Toilets are something that most of us would rather use either euphemisms or slang to refer to.
It’s generally not all that desirable to start talking about toilets in general conversation, so naturally, a lot of different slang terms arise to describe them.
This is just as true in America as it is anywhere else, so let’s find out more.
American Slang For Toilet
The Can
“The can” is one of the most widely recognized slang terms for the toilet in the United States.
While not as formal as “restroom” or “washroom”, it’s a practical and somewhat humorous way to refer to the bathroom, particularly when speaking to friends or family.
The term is often used in casual conversations, especially when someone needs to excuse themselves to use the toilet.
Examples in sentences:
- “I need to run to the can, I’ll be right back.”
- “Wait for me here, I’m just going to hit the can.”
- “He’s in the can, don’t bother him right now.”
- “I’ll be back in a second, just need to use the can.”
- “Can you point me to the can? I need to freshen up.”
The Crapper
“The crapper” is a less polite and somewhat crude way to refer to the toilet.
It is believed to have originated from the name of Thomas Crapper, a 19th-century plumber known for popularizing the modern flush toilet.
While it’s a widely recognized term, it’s not something you would use in formal or polite conversation.
The term often adds a humorous touch to casual or irreverent discussions about bathrooms.
Examples in sentences:
- “Where’s the crapper? I need to use it before we leave.”
- “I don’t care where we stop, as long as there’s a crapper nearby.”
- “After all that coffee, I’m heading straight for the crapper!”
- “He was in the crapper for so long, I thought he’d fallen in.”
- “You know you’re in a dive bar when the crapper doesn’t have any toilet paper.”
The Head
“The head” is a term that can be traced back to nautical language, where sailors referred to the toilet on ships as “the head,” due to its location at the front (or “head”) of the vessel.
Over time, this term was adopted more widely and is still used today, especially in casual conversations or in reference to public restrooms.
It remains a popular, if somewhat old-fashioned, way to refer to the toilet, especially in more relaxed settings.
Examples in sentences:
- “Excuse me, I need to use the head before we go.”
- “The line for the head is always so long at concerts!”
- “He’ll be back in a minute, he just went to the head.”
- “I didn’t know where the head was in this place—had to ask for directions!”
- “After a long flight, I couldn’t wait to find the head.”
The John
“The John” is one of the most commonly used slang terms for the toilet in the United States.
While its exact origin is unclear, it’s widely believed that the term may have been named after a plumber named John, or possibly from the term “johnny”, a nickname for a toilet.
It’s a casual, often humorous term that’s generally used among friends or in informal settings rather than in more polite or formal situations.
Examples in sentences:
- “Where’s Steve? He’s been in the john for ages!”
- “I need to make a quick stop at the john before we leave.”
- “He’ll be out of the john in a minute—don’t worry.”
- “I think the john’s out of order; I saw a sign on the door.”
- “Do you mind if I use the john real quick?”
The Latrine
“The Latrine” is a term commonly used in military or outdoor settings to refer to a toilet.
It has a more utilitarian feel and is often associated with more basic or makeshift restroom facilities.
While it’s not typically used in everyday civilian life, it’s widely recognized as a term for a toilet in these specific environments, especially when referring to outdoor or temporary toilets, like at campsites or in the military.
Examples in sentences:
- “I had to walk all the way to the latrine in the pouring rain.”
- “The latrine’s over there behind the tent, just follow the signs.”
- “I’m headed to the latrine—be right back!”
- “It’s not a luxury bathroom, but the latrine will do for now.”
- “After a long day in the field, the latrine was a welcome sight.”
The Outhouse
“The Outhouse” refers to a toilet located outside of the main house, often in rural areas or older homes.
This term has a more historical and rustic connotation, evoking images of a small, standalone wooden structure used for toilet purposes.
While less common in modern times, it still holds cultural and nostalgic value, particularly in rural communities or when referring to older, less developed facilities.
Examples in sentences:
- “When I was a kid, we had to use the outhouse in the winter—it was freezing!”
- “The outhouse is a bit of a trek from the cabin, so plan accordingly.”
- “I remember my grandmother’s house had an outhouse out back.”
- “They don’t have plumbing in the cabin, so the outhouse is our only option.”
- “It’s not the most glamorous, but the outhouse will do in a pinch.”
The Restroom
“The Restroom” is the most common euphemism for the toilet in American English.
It’s used in public places, workplaces, and other formal settings to refer to facilities where people can relieve themselves.
It’s a more respectful and neutral way of referring to the bathroom, avoiding the cruder or slang terms that might be seen as inappropriate in more formal contexts.
Examples in sentences:
- “Excuse me, could you tell me where the restroom is?”
- “She stepped into the restroom to freshen up before the meeting.”
- “The restroom facilities in this restaurant are top-notch.”
- “I’ll be right back, I just need to use the restroom.”
- “There are restrooms located near the entrance of the theater.”
The Throne
“The Throne” is a playful and slightly tongue-in-cheek term for the toilet, often used to refer to the bathroom in a grand or exaggerated way.
It humorously elevates the ordinary act of using the toilet to something more important, as though sitting on the toilet is akin to sitting on a royal throne.
While it’s a bit of a joke, it’s still a commonly used and widely recognized slang term.
Examples in sentences:
- “I’ll be back in a minute, I’m just on the throne.”
- “He spent a good 20 minutes on the throne, reading his phone.”
- “The bathroom is down the hall, but the throne is at the end of the corridor.”
- “After a long day, the throne is the best place to relax for a few moments.”
- “She walked out of the bathroom with a sigh, clearly relieved after her time on the throne.”
The Washroom
“The Washroom” is a widely used euphemism for the bathroom or toilet, particularly in more formal or polite contexts.
It originally referred to a room where one could wash up, but over time, it became a more general term for any restroom facility.
This term is frequently used in public places, workplaces, or in situations where one prefers a more delicate or professional way of referring to the bathroom.
Examples in sentences:
- “Excuse me, can you point me to the washroom?”
- “I need to freshen up in the washroom before the meeting.”
- “There’s a washroom on the second floor, just down the hall.”
- “She excused herself to the washroom after the long flight.”
- “If you need to use the washroom, there’s one at the back of the restaurant.”
The Water Closet
“The Water Closet” (often abbreviated as WC) is a term that dates back to the 19th century and was originally used to refer to a small room with a toilet and a washbasin.
While the term has become somewhat outdated, it is still used in some places today, particularly in Europe or in more formal contexts.
It refers to a separate room for using the toilet, with “water” symbolizing the flush system that modern toilets use.
Examples in sentences:
- “Please excuse me, I’ll be back shortly—I need to find the water closet.”
- “The water closet is down the hall to the left.”
- “They installed a new water closet in the guest bathroom.”
- “I couldn’t find the water closet in the old hotel, so I had to ask for directions.”
- “The water closet was quite lavish in that historic building, complete with marble fixtures.”
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Polly Webster is the founder of Foreign Lingo and a seasoned traveler with a decade of exploration under her belt.
Over the past 10 years, she has journeyed to numerous countries around the globe, immersing herself in diverse cultures, traditions, and languages.
Drawing from her rich experiences, Polly now writes insightful articles about travel, languages, traditions, and cultures, sharing her unique perspectives and invaluable tips with her readers.