Why do the Brits call it the loo?

Loo. Despite being a very British word for toilet, ‘loo’ is actually derived from the French phrase ‘guardez l’eau’, which means ‘watch out for the water’.

What is the loo in London?

Of all the things I’ve had to learn since moving to London, the British word for bathroom has been the trickiest. Saying “loo” makes me feel ridiculous, but saying “toilet” feels crass. After testing out every variation imaginable, I finally embraced my Americanness and stuck with “restroom”.

Is Loo same as toilet?

“Loo” is a colloquial (or slang) expression for toilet, both in a house and in a public place.

What does it mean to use the loo?

plural loos. informal for bathroom: I’ll just go to the loo.

How do the British say bathroom?

In British English, “bathroom” is a common term but is typically reserved for private rooms primarily used for bathing; a room without a bathtub or shower is more often known as a “WC”, an abbreviation for water closet, “lavatory”, or “loo”.

Is loo American or British?

This room is commonly known as a “bathroom” in American English a lavatory or loo in the United Kingdom, a “washroom” in Canadian English, and by many other names across the English-speaking world.

What is a toilet called in Australia?

dunny
dunny – a toilet, the appliance or the room – especially one in a separate outside building. This word has the distinction of being the only word for a toilet which is not a euphemism of some kind. It is from the old English dunnykin: a container for dung. However Australians use the term toilet more often than dunny.

What do aristocrats call toilets?

The royal family apparently say ‘loo’ or ‘lavatory’ instead. Kate says you should never use the terms ‘gents’, ‘ladies’ ‘bathroom’ or ‘powder room’.

How do you say toilet politely?

‘The loo’ is generally a safe term to use and likely won’t offend anyone. ‘Lavatory’ is a good option for people looking for a very formal word to use in very formal occasions. In the United Kingdom, some people will shorten lavatory to just ‘lav’ and when they do it becomes quite informal.