What is the difference between toilet bathroom washroom

The latter from the campfire skit where the spies line up in a row and the head spy asks each of them in turn, "Do you have the important paper? Active Oldest Votes. That is a difference, and the main one, among all the words you list as well. Don't forget 'the water closet. The head. The can. Also, I've only ever heard "the facilities" and never just "the facility".

It's always "The men's room" vs. Show 5 more comments. In the US we typically say "bathroom" for the room in our home that contains the toilet. John Satta. And he may have actually said "no room where Add a comment. The room used for defecation is almost always referred to by euphemism. Bathroom In Britain this still means a room containing a bath. Lavatory This used to mean no more than a room used for washing.

Water closet does not refer to a little room, but to the fact that water creates a seal between the foul gases in the drain pipes and the room. Details in en.

Show 1 more comment. In terms of social and class issues I was regularly beaten by my parents, and god-parents to say loo, not toilet. Toilet is unbearably common, and good little boys should never use it, apparently.

In a similar way, lavatory is even more plebeian than toilet. Of all international words in current usage, I believe that "toilet" is the one most widely considered non-U all over Europe, including England.

A reference: en. I heard things were different across the pond, though. As soon as the lower classes will have stopped using it, the cycle will be complete, and the upper classes might start using it again. So silly. Cerberus - What made it even sillier was there was a quaint idea that the upper and working classes shared a preference for 'calling a spade a spade' and that only the middle class went in for euphemisms - such cross class solidarity!

I've always wondered if the working class saw it in quite the same light. And of course 'lavatory' is just as much a euphemism as 'toilet'. It's simply Latin euphemism vs French euphemism. That Wikipedia article is excellent, by the way - I'm afraid that's the way I was brought up to speak. RandomIdeaEnglish: I think there is something in that: u. In addition, u. But you're right that many euphemisms originate in u. I do think that m. Bathroom used to mean a room with a bath in it. Restroom is anywhere outside of home.

WC water closet used to mean a small closet sized restroom. Nowadays they all mean the same thing. However some still use the word "toilet" only for the white seat. English US Vietnamese Near fluent. When you're in a public place, they all mean the room with the toilet and sink that you do your business in. However, whichever one you use might depend on what country you're in. If you're in the UK or Australia, the word "toilet" is most often used.

In the US, "bathroom" and "restroom" are more common. Most people do not use it in common everyday language. It is only seen in signs. Restrooms are places to sit down and rest, although some may have toilets attached. Then, in some instances, the washroom and restroom can adjoin each other. In some countries, a toilet refers to the room which contains the toilet or toilets, as in the case of a public toilet facility.

In other countries, a toilet refers to the actual fixture or receptacle for relieving oneself. It normally consists of a bowl and an attached water tank. However, for some inexplicable reason, it is regarded as extremely rude to use the word toilet in American and Canadian culture. In the early history of toilets, chamber pots were used for people to relieve themselves at night.

British soldiers experienced this phenomenon during World War I. It is now considered a polite and acceptable way to refer to the toilet or bathroom in Britain and most countries where the word toilet is acceptable.

Initially, these words indicated washing or cleaning oneself. Later these two terms began to mean the place where you could relieve yourself. The term lavatory is going out of fashion and is generally only used by older British people currently. The latrine is not used commonly any longer, except in the military in Britain and South Africa. But even in the military, the word is beginning to be replaced by other words to indicate a toilet.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a water closet as a small room or compartment that contains a flushing toilet. Public toilets may be indicated by signs that simply say WC.

So, if you are in one of these countries and need the bathroom urgently, look for these signs. Originally toilets were situated outside houses and were classified as outhouses. These were usually pit toilets that were ultimately replaced by flushing toilets. Eventually, people grew tired of braving the cold and inconvenience of going outside to the toilet.

Installations or stand alone as well as part of large buildings like railway stations, restaurants etc. Assistance provided Restrooms may or may not have an attendant. Most washrooms are unattended, although some can have a janitor, an attendant or even a grooming service. Origination of Term Handed over to the British from the French. American English. Use of the Terms: Washroom and Restroom The terms washroom and restroom are interchangeable today. Difference in use of terms Washroom and Restroom across the World American English uses washroom for public convenience facility in commercial and public places.

Gender Specific Washrooms and Restrooms Washrooms and restrooms are separated by sex with pictograms of man or woman to indicate respective rooms. Types of Washrooms or Restrooms Washrooms can be private, high capacity and low capacity. Restrooms are used synonymously with washrooms. Follow Share Cite Authors. Share this comparison: If you read this far, you should follow us: "Restroom vs Washroom. Comments: Restroom vs Washroom. Related Comparisons. Contribute to Diffen Edit or create new comparisons in your area of expertise.