Why do Americans...?

Question

Call toilets 'RESTROOMS'? when i first went to the states with my friends last year, we went into Wendy's and asked where the toilets were, the work people looked at us as if we were speaking a different language. They looked blank in the face, and after a few mumbles amgonst them selfs they directed as to the RESTROOM.

Answer 1

Well look at it this way if an American asked for the rest room in England they would be sent to a room with chairs in it an no toilet. It's a strange world where language is concerned especially English.

Answer 2

I don't know why the people at Wendy's didn't know what a "toilet" was, unless you have a bad accent. A "toilet" is the thing that you sit on, and everybody the world over know what that is.

Why is a "toilet room" called a "bathroom" or a "restroom" in the U.S.? I think that it has to do with history.

When indoor plumbing was first invented, I believe that the bathtub was the first fixture to use running water. Later, when toilets were invented (I.E., the "water closet" or "w.c."), people installed the new toilets in the bathroom, because that is the room where all of the water pipes already were.

So, any room with water pipes in it is referred to as a "bathroom", even if the only "bath" is a small sink for bathing your hands after using the toilet.

I suppose that "restroom" and "bathroom" are used interchangeably because back in the old days public baths were saunas or spas.

----------------------edit----------------
BTW, some people have already mentioned that older people, especially ladies, seem to think that it was dirty or improper to use the word "toilet", so they use "powder room" or "restroom" as a polite euphemism.

Answer 3

it is a social euphemism. they also say a couple "slept together' when we all know what they really mean.
(sometimes couples sleep together in restrooms.
that sounds better than fornicate in toilets.)
People in restaurants do not want to have a picture of a toilet in their heads with all the connotations to a toilet , when they are trying to eat. it is a polite way of saying it.
Also , sometimes when you have difficult job and boss, the only place you can get some rest from work is in the bathroom. try not to fall off.
Also a typical rerstroom, perhaps not a Wendys, may include a sink and urinal and bath or shower, so it is not just a "toilet". Thus general term is better to include all.
Some people call it the lavatory. (bathing place in latin) or the bathroom.
English call it the water closet . I like that one best.
It is just a custom of manners. you will get used to it.

Answer 4

I have to answer this question with a question. If in your country a person wanted to wash their hands before a meal, would you tell them to wash them in the toilet? We use the word restroom because it is a more polite way to say that we need to use the facilities in that room. It could be to actually "use" the toilet, or it could be to wash our hands, check our hair or makeup in the mirror, etc. I know it might sound funny to you but think about it this way. In the U.S.A., we call it a kitchen not a stove room, we call it a living room not a couch room, however we are caught on the "bedroom". I think it's just a descreet way to say the we need to use some service of that room.

Answer 5

I think it's because the word "toilet" seems a little blunt... restroom sounds nicer and there's less implication that one might go in a restroom to take care of excretory matters. Sounds wierd, but people like to sugar coat things. I grew up calling it a "bathroom" and sometimes get odd looks from people when I ask where the bathrooms are. It's just a regional/cultural thing.

Answer 6

I think the reason they mumbled when you ask for the toilet is because in America there are words that are a little more blunt than others. Not that there is any difference, but for example using the word "fart" and using the words "passing gas" is the same thing, but in america saying "passing gas" is a more pleasant way of speaking.

Answer 7

We also call it a bathroom. If you were at a Wendy's, the people who looked at you funny for asking where the toilet is probably don't speak English as their first language. They probably didn't understand a word you said.

Answer 8

I'm not sure why we call them "restrooms." It's probably related to the times when the rooms for women were known as "powder rooms" and were used for freshening up. I think most people don't refer to it as the "toilet" because we only use that word for that fixture; it's kind of gross to talk about it.

Answer 9

Americans are really a very prudish people, contrary to what our television shows seem to portray to the world. It just sounds more delicate, like the term powder room. It was never a room full of powder. Asking for the toilet is akin to asking for a bed at a hourly rate hotel while dragging some poor soul behind you and ripping a condom packet with your teeth. It's just not done.

Answer 10

We call our toilets restrooms for the same reason that in England restrooms are called toilets.