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Original poster

To think you shouldn't say she's ON the toilet

184 replies

pontipinemum · 22/05/2024 09:57

I hate when DH says 'she's on the toilet' instead of 'she's in the bathroom' or 'she'll be back in a min, she's gone to the loo' or similar

I've heard him say it a good few times most recently over the weekend. I do tell him I don't like it, he doesn't see why.

This is meant in a light hearted way! It does not occupy much of my brain

YABU - It's a perfectly normal thing to say
YANBU - Bit graphic

OP posts:
MistyGreenAndBlue · 22/05/2024 11:38

Depends who you are talking to. For example, I will cheerfully tell my mum "I'm going for a slash", because I know it winds her up. But I'm dead common, me 🤣

I was actually brought up to say I'm going to the bathroom" but DH says he'll be in the toilet and thinks I'm weird.

I'm pretty sure if he was informing a third party of my activities, he'd say I was "busy" lol.

PhilosophicalCheeseSandwich · 22/05/2024 11:36

redbuttons · 22/05/2024 11:30

'Go away, mummy's on potty' I told my toddler who was banging on the bathroom door. Cue someone ringing the doorbell and I just knew what she was going to do. She shouted through the letter box ' go away mummy's on potty'. I had to let him in, it was the tv repair man I'd been waiting all morning for, he had the grace not to smile though.

I heard a woman in Disneyland shouting to the other adults she was with "Anybody wanna go potty?!" I felt so embarrassed for whoever she was with 🫣

Samlewis96 · 22/05/2024 11:35

WimpoleHat · 22/05/2024 11:27

Lol I often say I'm just popping to the loo.

I do too, at home, to my kids or whatever. But I wouldn’t say it in a formal meeting, or to people I didn’t know very well.

Oh I never go to formal meetings for it to be an issue

redbuttons · 22/05/2024 11:30

'Go away, mummy's on potty' I told my toddler who was banging on the bathroom door. Cue someone ringing the doorbell and I just knew what she was going to do. She shouted through the letter box ' go away mummy's on potty'. I had to let him in, it was the tv repair man I'd been waiting all morning for, he had the grace not to smile though.

dawnio1977 · 22/05/2024 11:29

Wonce 😂 I think I am still asleep.

PhilosophicalCheeseSandwich · 22/05/2024 11:28

I agree! It's too descriptive, it makes you picture that person actually using the toilet which nobody needs.

WimpoleHat · 22/05/2024 11:27

Lol I often say I'm just popping to the loo.

I do too, at home, to my kids or whatever. But I wouldn’t say it in a formal meeting, or to people I didn’t know very well.

dawnio1977 · 22/05/2024 11:25

A Father Christmas at a garden centre wonce apologised for his short absence to me and confided that he had been "on the toilet." Then cheerily shook my hand. 🤣😳😭

Samlewis96 · 22/05/2024 11:24

WimpoleHat · 22/05/2024 10:07

It’s generally considered polite not to mention loo trips directly; hence you’d say “excuse me” not “I’m going to the loo” in any sort of formal setting. So yes - more “U” (a la Nancy Mitford) to say “she’s indisposed for the moment”. But depends who’s on the other end of the comment. Okay in a family context, but not more formally, probably.

Lol I often say I'm just popping to the loo. Many of my male friends are not past saying Im going for a piss . Which I think is TMI

PToosher · 22/05/2024 11:23

She's in the khazi.

Scintella · 22/05/2024 11:23

How does he know you are in the loo - do you announce that you’re going?
Dont tell him in future -say you are sorting the washing , getting your whatever from the bedroom/hal/car so he can’t say it.

TwelveAngryWhiskers · 22/05/2024 11:21

Who is he saying this to?

on the toilet was normal where I grew up (NE England) but it's not something I'd say now.

yellowsmileyface · 22/05/2024 11:19

maudelovesharold · 22/05/2024 11:14

For the same reason we don’t mention other universal human activities in RL conversations, I guess! I fully realise that nothing is taboo on MN!

Show quote history

But what is that reason? I genuinely don't understand!

fieldsofbutterflies · 22/05/2024 11:18

yellowsmileyface · 22/05/2024 11:10

I think it's a bit precious to consider it TMI.

We're all human beings. We all have basic bodily functions. Why the need to skirt around it and pretend we don't use the toilet?

I agree with this - and it's only ever women who are bothered! It's like those people who have to hide in the toilet when they need to fart or burp 🙈

maudelovesharold · 22/05/2024 11:14

yellowsmileyface · 22/05/2024 11:10

I think it's a bit precious to consider it TMI.

We're all human beings. We all have basic bodily functions. Why the need to skirt around it and pretend we don't use the toilet?

For the same reason we don’t mention other universal human activities in RL conversations, I guess! I fully realise that nothing is taboo on MN!

yellowsmileyface · 22/05/2024 11:10

I think it's a bit precious to consider it TMI.

We're all human beings. We all have basic bodily functions. Why the need to skirt around it and pretend we don't use the toilet?

TipsyKoala · 22/05/2024 11:08

Depends who it's being said to. We would say it within the household about each other, "where's dad, oh he's on the toilet again" but not to other people.

Rhythmisadancer · 22/05/2024 10:49

I'm with you, it's a bit gross - I'd actually prefer "she's powdering her nose" 😁

PrincessHoneysuckle · 22/05/2024 10:44

I know what u mean but it's better than she's having a shit at least 🤣

Chaoseverywhere · 22/05/2024 10:40

I’ve had this same conversation with my children. They all say- “shes just using the toilet” I’m trying to encourage - “he’s not here right now can he call you back?” “She’s away from the phone for a moment” “he’s in the bathroom” at a push.
but everyday I’m told someone is using the toilet.

ha on the toilet is same bad.

GigiAnnna · 22/05/2024 10:39

It makes it sound like you're having a poo by saying " on" the toilet. But I think it depends who he's saying it to. If it's someone familiar to you or someone he needs to be more formal with. If my family come round and ask where my husband is I might say " he's on the toilet", but if it was anyone else I might say " he's in the bathroom".

Catsmere · 22/05/2024 10:38

A shop I visit has a generic "She'll be with you in a moment, she's just out the back" - which probably means at the loo, but could also mean up a ladder, sorting stuff, doing the accounts or making tea.

5128gap · 22/05/2024 10:35

I had a CEO with a PA who if you called and the CEO was 'not at her desk' would happily add 'try in a minute, I think she's on the loo'. You just can't help getting a mental picture you'd really prefer not to have.

Catsmere · 22/05/2024 10:34

Apollo365 · 22/05/2024 10:28

Omg someone at work used to say - dropping the kids off at the pool… 🫣🤢

Eewwww!

Dotjones · 22/05/2024 10:29

I think "on the toilet" is actually a better phrase than "gone to the bathroom" or similar.

If someone is told I'm "on the toilet" they know that I'm occupied with something and am not immediately available. If I've "gone to the bathroom" then it could be for any reason, I could just be looking at myself in the mirror or staring at the frosted glass seeing faces in the pattern of the window, it's not as clear a reason for being unavailable.

It's like if I'm in bed and phone work saying I'm not coming in. "I'm still in bed" is probably a less satisfactory explanation than "I'm in bed with a thumping headache and the room is spinning and I keep throwing up".