The Bog, John, Dunny, Jazz, Crapper, Potty, Can, Sh!tter, Lavatory, Loo, Water Closet (WC). There are many more, in English, but obviously every other language has its own variants too.
Of all the facilities every person, and traveller, will have to make use of, in some form or another, is the humble toilet. Sometimes there just isn’t one and you still have to go, such as in the middle of the desert on a group safari tour without so much as a rock or bush in sight to hide behind, or you are on a mountain trek, or worse case scenario, in the middle of a major European city and you don’t have cash on you to pay the toilet mafia to use the ‘public’ facilities. If you’ve ever been to Europe, or you live there, you will know what I’m talking about.
But for the most part, any seasoned traveller will develop this sixth sense of when is, or is not a good time to go. This all depends on the availablity of facilities, or the cleanliness thereof. What most often inspires me to use a particular throne is the novelty, design, or location. Even if I don’t have to go urgently at that time, I’ll install myself anyway just to enjoy the view. I guess it’s the one thing women will never quite understand…the reason men sit so long. Maybe it’s the one place we get our best thinking done.
The Humble Toilet, A Place of Great Thinking
Over the years, many people have contributed to the design of the camode as we know it today. One person who made a significant contribution, along with his name, was none other than Thomas Crapper who invented the floating ball cock, the thing that automatically fills the cistern with water. His name was emblazoned across the cast iron tank which, back in the day, was higher up the wall, pretty much at face level. Apparently, American service men stationed in England during WW 1 coined the phrase “‘I’m going to the crapper”. Born in Thorne, Yorkshire, UK in 1836 Crapper founded Thomas Crapper and Co, the company that owned the worlds first bathroom showroom in King’s Road, London until 1966.
Now the more I travel, and the more the earth is populated, the more I appreciate the need to dispose of ourselves properly. It is possible that a lot of people might never give any consideration to where their crap goes after they flush, but they should. Maybe the origin of the water used to flush said crap is another important consideration, unless you are using a filthy pit latrine like many people in various locations around the world. Perhaps the next time you assume the position, you can give a thought to the millions of people who don’t have the use of a suitable facility.
What’s the purpose of this article? I’m not entirely sure, but seeing as there is so much crap on the internet anyway, I thought I’d keep up the trend. Pun intended.
PS: I should also add that every one of these fine specimens featured in this article was personally used by yours truly.
Feel free to list other names for the toilet, in your language, or tell of your most memorable experience on one.
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HAHA I love this post. So different from what I’m used to reading. And very interesting toilets indeed. Asia has some pretty interesting toilet situations too.
Thought I would do something a little different. I just wish I had a photo of every interesting toilet used over the years. Think I might make a point of taking more pics of T’s as we travel and devote a whole section of the blog just to that 🙂
You had me laughing so much as I read this post!! What a great theme. It also reminded me of my late father who loved photography and travel and would also take many photos of the local sanitary facilities no matter where he traveled. He especially loved many signs that would indicate “men” and women.
I like to make people laugh, glad you did!
Hahahah some of these are downright ridiculous. But after seeing some of the toilets I did in the outback (Australia), I’ll believe anything!
More to come in my next series!
Well I never! That’s where the term ‘crapper’ comes from! My favourite toilet by far is definitely the hippo one: yikes!
haha this made me laugh! The loo’s at the Top of the Shard in London have a pretty impressive view too!
Simone
That tissue paper hanging ! Omg outdoor toilets. This was definitely an interesting read.
That wasn’t actually an outdoor toilet, it was just…outdoors…take the spade and pick a spot 🙂
Haaaa great post! Not a bad view after you go to the loo 😛
This made me laugh! Not sure how I feel about the one in Rainbow Lodge though 😉
Haha, cool collection! Found a great eco friendly toilet in the Netherlands too lately 🙂 And in the tent of nations 😀
Hahaha nice recopilation of toilets man, or thrones as we say in Venezuela
Haha, these are great!!! Traveling with kids, sometimes the woods is a better option when there’s not much time!
This is hilarious! It is amazing how different things can be from one spot to another, and what it is the common way for us being soooo different to others. The beauty of travel is when you need to head that toilette and you find one shocking you…I’ve laugh forever when was my first time in an Asian toilette as I always wanted to check how would be…and after several months I got used to them and even liked that way, lol 😛
Great post! I love the hippos. So colorful for what it is. People really have a sense of humor.
I love what you did here! It’s a great insight to see different toilets around the world – and we either learn to appreciate ours or prefer theirs. I actually do enjoy the squat toilet in Asia! I’m not sure if that’s weird, but I actually like it haha. I also saw the Japanese toilet! Have you seen that one yet?
Interesting toilets that you’ve seen! 🙂
I have seen a Japanese toilet, but haven’t had the opportunity to use one, yet. I am always on the lookout for fun and interesting ways of doing what we all have to do on a daily basis.
HAHAA nice post!! thanks for making me laugh
‘dude,where’s my car’ is my favorite
I am taking and using that Crapper anecdote! I still have vivid memories of the stench of a toilet we used during my childhood holiday to Cairo. 40 degree celsius heat in the afternoon, no cleaning and a lot of foot traffic, I’m sure you can imagine…
Unfortunately, I can imagine…those ones in the Namib desert might have a good view, but they don’t have such a good smell…;-)
haha, too funny! Love it! We have a picture hanging in our bathroom from Alaska. It is not a photo of the bathroom, but instead the view we had from our ‘outdoor relieving station’. Noone knows what the photo is about, but it makes us smile every time we look at it. haha
There’s nothing better than doing something natural in a natural place with a view!
What a fun—and funny—post. Love the photos.
Haha this is interesting and funny … but what a view to do your business lol
Ha, great post. Just goes to show you how much we have complicated what is a natural thing! I did “go” recently up at the top of the UFO bridge in Bratislava with a panoramic view of the city!
Complicated? Absolutely! and this whole privacy thing…if it has a nice view, I just leave the door open, if it even has a door 🙂