The name cloakroom harks back to a time when the wearing of an over cloak was common. A cloak room was therefore designed near the main entrance of the home and public buildings. This is where these outer garments were left as you entered the property.
What does a cloakroom mean in the UK?
toilet
UK. polite word for toilet, especially one in a public building: I went to the cloakroom in the first interval. Parts of buildings: rooms. antechamber.
Is a downstairs toilet called a cloakroom?
This room in people’s houses can also be called the lavatory, or informally, the loo. An extra downstairs toilet in a house can be called the cloakroom.
What is called cloakroom?
Definition of cloakroom
1a : a room in which outdoor clothing may be placed during one’s stay. b : checkroom. 2 : an anteroom of a legislative chamber where members may relax and confer with colleagues. 3 British : lavatory sense 2.
What do Brits call bathrooms?
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”. Other terms are also used, some as part of a regional dialect.
Do Americans say cloakroom?
cloakroom Definitions and Synonyms
People sometimes use this word because they think it is more polite than ‘toilet’. The usual American word is restroom.
Why is a downstairs toilet called WC?
Originally ‘wash-down closet’, it quickly evolved into the phrase water closet through common usage. Over time, it has simply become ‘WC’. In fact, in some countries such as Mexico WC is widely used on toilet signage, although the majority of the population don’t actually know the derivations of the letters.
What is a room with just a toilet called?
To builders nowadays, a water closet refers to a room with just a toilet, although some companies, such as Richmond American Homes, will include water closets in the same category as a powder room or a half bath—a room with a toilet plus a sink.
What is a bedroom with a toilet called?
Most of the time, it’s followed by “bathroom.” According to Nick Baldwin, co-founder of Lab Coat Agents, “An en suite is basically a bedroom that has a bathroom attached to it. They are bathrooms that are private and aren’t attached to common areas of a home.” In other words, it’s two rooms in one.
Can a downstairs toilet open into a dining room?
Building regulations used to state that downstairs toilets could not open into a kitchen or living room. However, these have relaxed, and this is now allowed as long as the WC includes a sink for handwashing. Even so, a downstairs bathroom should open into a hallway if possible.
What is the difference between cloakroom and toilet?
Cloakroom toilets are slightly smaller than regular toilets to ensure the space in a cloakroom isn’t wasted. A cloakroom toilet is designed to fit into smaller rooms like en-suites and cloakrooms.
Why is a bathroom called a powder room?
Etymology. In reference to lavatories, an indirection developed under the influence of powder one’s nose (“euphemism for use a toilet”).
Is a cloakroom a bathroom?
A cloakroom is usually a small downstairs bathroom that contains a toilet, sink and mirror. It’s a place where guests can use the toilet without having to use the family bathroom upstairs.
What do British call a sink?
basin
British vs American English American vs British English
| *sink | basin |
| skillet | frying-pan |
| slicker | mackintosh |
| stick shift | manual (cars) |
| stocks | shares |
What do the British call an umbrella?
7 | brolly (96% British / 24% American)
The British term for an umbrella. Interesting Fact: The old-timey American slang term for umbrella was “bumbershoot.” But we managed to wisely eradicate that term; the British are still rolling with “brolly.”
What do Americans call a sink?
It can also be called a wash basin, but sink is much more common. The room where the toilet and sink are found is called a bathroom in a home. In a public place, the most common term is restroom, though bathroom, washroom, men’s/women’s room, and, occasionally, lavatory are also heard.
Why do British people call the bathroom the toilet?
Why are bathrooms called toilets in England and restrooms in America? The British call them toilets because they don’t have baths or beds in them it’s that simple.
Why is a bathroom called a John?
The modern toilet was designed by John Harington. Thus, a toilet is called a “john” to honor his contribution.
Why do American toilets fill so high?
American toilets are in the bathroom where smell is an issue. In other countries the toilet is in a separate room. The high water level means the waste falls into water and this stops it from making the room smell bad. It also helps to keep the toilet clean.
What is a bathroom without a bath called?
A half bathroom is a bathroom that contains a sink and toilet, but does not contain a bathtub or shower.
Is it better to say loo or toilet?
Toilet. This was on the original 1950s list and, to be honest, I’d rather chew glass than use the word toilet in polite conversation. It’s a harsh word that was adapted from the French toilette which means your appearance, hence toiletries bag. Lavatory or loo is much more acceptable.