rest room

[Tan Elaine]

At a bus station, I saw some of the staff resting in a room.

On the door are the words "rest room" (two words). I wonder if the term is correct.

Could someone please enlighten me on this?

Thanks.

 

[GoesStation]

In American English, a public restroom is a room containing toilets and sinks. (Such places are "washrooms" in Canadian English.) The room where staff members rest and eat lunch is the "break room".

 

[andrewg927]

I don't think "rest room" means anything in AE. "restroom" though does.

 

[AirbusA321]

If the room includes a toilet, you could, at least in Philippine English, also use the term "comfort room" or "CR".

 

[Oll Korrect]

I'd just add one tip: don't use the international word "toilet" for "restroom" in America. In American English the toilet is only the porcelain thing in the restroom, so "Could I use the toilet" sounds very direct.

 

[andrewg927]

I'd just add one tip: don't use the international word "toilet" for "restroom" in America. In American English the toilet is only the porcelain thing in the restroom, so "Could I use the toilet" sounds very direct.

But you could use "could I use the bathroom"?

 

[andrewg927]

Here are a few more terms that you can use to refer to the restroom: water closet (BE), powder room, lavatory, outhouse, urinal, loo. Not every word here can be used in any context. Look up each word to find out when it is appropriate to use instead of restroom.

 

[GoesStation]

But you could use "could I use the bathroom"?

That works in American English. In British English, a bathroom is a room with a bathtub in it.

 

[andrewg927]

That works in American English. In British English, a bathroom is a room with a bathtub in it.

Hm, interesting. So people would gape at you if you asked where is the bathroom in England?

 

[Meja]

That works in American English. In British English, a bathroom is a room with a bathtub in it.

If there is a shower, but not a bathtub, will that still be called a bathroom in BrE?

 

[GoesStation]

If there is a shower, but not a bathtub, will that still be called a bathroom in BrE?

I'm not 100% certain about British English, but some friends left without checking into a hotel in France when the young woman showing them the room answered il n'y en a pas, monsieur ("there isn't one") when they asked where they might find the salle de bain - the "bathroom". They were convinced that it was possible for a hotel in France not to have any showers. I explained that the young woman, inexperienced in dealing with confused foreigners, had simply told them the hotel had no bathtub.

 

[Meja]

What is the common way (in English speaking countries) for pupils/students to ask teachers for permission to go to the _____ (bathroom/restroom/toilet...) ?

 

[GoesStation]

American elementary students ask to go to the bathroom or the restroom. Younger pupils may say they have to go to the toilet.

 

[andrewg927]

Hmmm, indeed interesting. I've never been in a 'bathroom' in the US that didn't also have a commode. I can't imagine a room made for just a bathtub. Even rooms without a tub, but only a shower will have a commode, so it's still a bathroom.

Maybe in the past, these "bathrooms" were used for bathing only which is probably the reason for the name.

 

[bigC]

Is there a word generally understood by most people (of different countries) for the room containing toilets, sink (and urinals)?

 

[GoesStation]

Is there a word generally understood by most people (of different countries) for the room containing toilets, sink (and urinals)?

I don't think so. Different regions use different words.

 

[emsr2d2]

If you're in a restaurant/cafe/bar/office in the UK, you will be readily understood if you ask the whereabouts of any of the following:

Toilet
Toilets
Loo
Loos
Bathroom
Restroom
Ladies' room
Men's room
Ladies
Gents

 

[GoesStation]

Toilet:tick:
Toilets:tick:
Loo
Loos
Bathroom:tick:
Restroom:tick:
Ladies' room:tick:
Men's room:tick:
Ladies
Gents

I've marked the names that would, I think, be understood anywhere in the USA. In my father's house in California, if you ask for "the loo" you will be directed to the bathroom that opens to his bedroom. It has a brass tag on its door reading "Loo", a souvenir of one of his any my mother's sojourns in England.

 

[www_bookboxpdf_com]

Hm, it is really interesting question.... Need to read something on this topic...

 

[Rover_KE]

Hm, it is really interesting question.... Need to read something on this topic...

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