英语导读1000句[51]:Toilet

Section 51
Toilet

Do you know what euphemism is?
Sure. It’s when we use a polite word instead of a more accurate one.
That’s right. And I was thinking that there are probably more euphemisms for toilet than any other word.
Yah. I can think of loads, like WC, washroom, bathroom, powder room, little boy’s room and lavatory, loo, bog and some words which are really not very polite at all.
But do you know that the word toilet can also be a verb?
No, I didn’t. How?
Well, many many years ago, people would say to do one’s toilet which meant to wash and dress.
So which do you think is the best one to use?
Well, I think it depends where you are.
In China, for example, most people will call it the WC.
Yah. That’s short for water closet, isn’t it?
Um. But the Americans seem to prefer to use bathroom or washroom or even restroom.
The British often use gents or ladies.
And I have also seen the word lavatory used on some aeroplanes.
I think the best thing is to listen to what the people use in the country you are in, and copy that.