toilet room

== English == === Alternative forms === toiletroom, toilet-room === Etymology === Originally from French chambre or cabinet de toilette, used for private grooming areas and then euphemistically for the locations of chamber pots and the plumbing fixtures which took their name from the room. Now generally understood as a direct (even impolitely overly direct) reference to the fixtures. === Pronunciation === === Noun === toilet room (plural toilet rooms) (historical) A room in which to perform one's toilet, including dressing and grooming, particularly before execution. 1868 July 18, "Monsieur de Paris" in Every Saturday, Vol. VI, p. 78: Before dawn already the executioner repairs to the prison, and signs at the office the certificate by which he vouches for the delivery of the person whom he is to behead. He then enters the so-called toilet-room, a narrow, dark chamber, whither the poor sinner, accompanied by the priest, is soon taken. (originally US euphemistic) A room in which to use a toilet: a lavatory. ==== Usage notes ==== As a lavatory, the simple term toilet is now generally used for both the fixture and the place, although toilet room is still sometimes encountered where clarity is desired. In North American English, the word toilet is only used for the fixture, with words like bathroom, restroom, or washroom used for the place. ==== Synonyms ==== (obsolete room for dressing and grooming): cabinet, chamber (lavatory): toilet; lavatory room (dated); see also Thesaurus:bathroom ==== Derived terms ==== gentlemen's room, ladies' room, men's room, women's room tearoom (as a lavatory) === References ===