Origins of the slang term for toilet

[Guest guest]

Three possibilities from three different sources:

" As early as 1596, Sir Harrington of England invented a toilet (which

he called a water closet) for his godmother, Queen I. "

" Sources also claim that the slang " " for toilet came from the

company of Cincinnati putting his name on his toilet for the

American market "

" The American slang term for the toilet, " the john, " is said to be derived

from the flushing water closets at Harvard university installed in 1735, and

emblazoned with the manufacturer's name, Rev. s. "

----------

No discussion of modern toilet history would be complete without reference

to the mythology surrounding one Crapper. Mr. Crapper was a real

individual who ran a successful plumbing business in England from 1861 until

he retired in 1904. Although he is often mistakenly credited with inventing

the toilet, he did hold nine plumbing related patents, three of which were

for water closets. Albert Giblin, claimed by some to be an employee of

Crapper, held the 1819 British Patent for the Silent Valveless Water Waste

Preventer, an invention enabling the toilet to flush effectively. The

confusion stems from the likelihood that Crapper bought the patent rights

from Giblin and marketed the device himself.

A second popular myth is that the word " crap " is derived from

Crapper's name.

There are numerous theories regarding the origin of the word " crap " . Webster

's Dictionary indicates the term to have originated around 1897-1898. Other

sources suggest possibilities including the Dutch " Krappe " ; Low German

" krape " meaning a vile and inedible fish; or Middle English " crappy " . More

likely is the story that World War I doughboys passing through England saw

the words T. Crapper-Chelsea printed on toilet tanks and coined the slang

term " crapper " for toilet. The mythology is persistent and both stories are

frequently heard whenever the subject comes up.

_____________________________________________

When the unthinkable happens, the lighthouse is hope.

Once we choose hope, everything is possible.

We are all in the sea together. But the lighthouse is

always there,

Ready to show us the way home.

- Reeve

[Guest guest]

Three possibilities from three different sources:

" As early as 1596, Sir Harrington of England invented a toilet (which

he called a water closet) for his godmother, Queen I. "

" Sources also claim that the slang " " for toilet came from the

company of Cincinnati putting his name on his toilet for the

American market "

" The American slang term for the toilet, " the john, " is said to be derived

from the flushing water closets at Harvard university installed in 1735, and

emblazoned with the manufacturer's name, Rev. s. "

----------

No discussion of modern toilet history would be complete without reference

to the mythology surrounding one Crapper. Mr. Crapper was a real

individual who ran a successful plumbing business in England from 1861 until

he retired in 1904. Although he is often mistakenly credited with inventing

the toilet, he did hold nine plumbing related patents, three of which were

for water closets. Albert Giblin, claimed by some to be an employee of

Crapper, held the 1819 British Patent for the Silent Valveless Water Waste

Preventer, an invention enabling the toilet to flush effectively. The

confusion stems from the likelihood that Crapper bought the patent rights

from Giblin and marketed the device himself.

A second popular myth is that the word " crap " is derived from

Crapper's name.

There are numerous theories regarding the origin of the word " crap " . Webster

's Dictionary indicates the term to have originated around 1897-1898. Other

sources suggest possibilities including the Dutch " Krappe " ; Low German

" krape " meaning a vile and inedible fish; or Middle English " crappy " . More

likely is the story that World War I doughboys passing through England saw

the words T. Crapper-Chelsea printed on toilet tanks and coined the slang

term " crapper " for toilet. The mythology is persistent and both stories are

frequently heard whenever the subject comes up.

_____________________________________________

When the unthinkable happens, the lighthouse is hope.

Once we choose hope, everything is possible.

We are all in the sea together. But the lighthouse is

always there,

Ready to show us the way home.

- Reeve