Posted by John Lambert on April 06, 2003 at -1:10:36 from 24.84.34.215 user John.
In Reply to: Re: BECKFOOT unmentionables posted by Ed Kiser on April 05, 2003 at 19:54:10:
I have often been intrigued by the American use of the word lavatory. In the US, and increasingly in Canada, it refers only to a wash basin. When I was growing up in England the lavatory was - well, the place that AR never mentioned. All these years later, I still giggle when I hear someone talking about washing his face in the lavatory. I suppose the word must come from the French laver, to wash, so the Americans are right. North Americans usually call the littlest room the washroom, which isn't altogether a euphemism because you do wash your hands there. If you want to refer directly to the smallest room, we call it the toilet, which is another euphemism. The lady was making her toilet (tee hee.)
John
John