Toilet language

[emarie]

I have just had a quick chat with my daughter's nanny who is going to be crucial to helping us get her trained. Do you think I can ask her not to use the word 'toilet'? I am from the US but I am conscious of the whole class issue around 'toilet/loo' and don't want to offend her!! But I have to say I am now not crazy about the word myself. I say 'ladies room' which sounds unbelieveably victorian and my daughter would undoubtedly get laughed at when she goes to preschool if she does the same! I probably get away with it due to the American accent.

I was just going to suggest 'bathroom' instead of toilet but don't want to offend her either - maybe I shouldn't bring it up at all?!

Am confused.
You think the word toilet isn't posh enough?

When your dd goes to school they won't have a "bathroom", they will have a toilet, with hand wash facilities. The signs on doors will say "toilets" not "bathroom" or even "Loo's".

Not about being posh.

What is the 'class issue' around toilet/loo? I wasn't aware there was one, although I'm aware that any American I know will ask for the bathroom. I don''t think it would offend your nanny, but she might, like me be puzzled.

What about 'bogs'?

Sorry - you referred to 'class' which often comes down to 'posh/sort of posh/not posh' IYKWIM.

I think 'Loo' is sometimes considered the middle class way of referring to a toilet...

huh?

it's the toilet she wants to use so call it what it is fgs!

where exactly would you expect to find a bathroom while in a public place? she's not goimg to be peeing in a bath.

WC?

I've just heard this from various people. I was puzzled too at first - but then someone took me aside and explained!! I have no idea how something like that would have started.

Realistically, she's just going to have to get on with it and since she's with the nanny a lot they will have to work out the system that's best for them. It's just that when we were talking about the potty training, I realised a few things might come up that we should be consistent about. One of the things was what language to use for various things.

Bogs is good, not sure DH would approve!!

I confess I don't like 'toilet' either.

Just tell the nanny you call it the loo - it's the easiest word anyway.

'Ladies' room' is silly when you're at home, 'bathroom' is silly when you're out.