Heads or Head or Bathroom - What's Correct ?

[MarkJ]

Hi Folks

In another thread (re Bumfizzels) mention was made of correct nautical terminology.

Some thought the Head or Head is the room, some think the actual Thunder Box.

The term came from old sailing ship days, we all know that, but it meant the sailors latrines forward at the Head (or heads) of the ship.

but the officers had their own toilets below, and aft, didn't they? Admiral Nelson couldn't have normal sailors watching his white bum.

So what were the toilets below called? And is it fair to call them that?

What do you actually call that area on your boat?



Mark

[Hannah on 'Rita T']

We use the word head for both, but we also use the word head to describe the facility at home or in a hotel. So, not much help. Sorry we didn't catch up in the Caribbean, maybe next winter?

[Mimsy]

SOmetimes if I'm feeling salty its the head. Someimes, its the toilet. We don't have a tub so its not a bathroom.

Oh and its a kitchen, or a galley but usually a kitchen. If this makes me to be considered a lesser person by some please speak up so I know who to avoid.

[pillum]

An officer's toilet was made in an after gallery, the latrine itself was known among officers as "the seat of ease".

[capngeo]

"Huh? Damnit Joanne; I'm on the CRAPPER.... leave me be!"

[Unicorn Dreams]

Lord Nelson probably called it the loo, or hang on a damn minute, it's hard to fasten these breeches with one arm.

The toilet is actually the crapper as we know named after the inventor..

Iusually it get out of my way, I gotta sh#t

[Hydra]

Since my boat speaks French, the name of the area isn't relevant to this thread. But the Thunder Box is called the Throne .

Alain

[capngeo]

Originally Posted by Unicorn Dreams

Lord Nelson probably called it the loo, or hang on a damn minute, it's hard to fasten these breeches with one arm.

The toilet is actually the crapper as we know named after the inventor..

Iusually it get out of my way, I gotta sh#t

Crapper IMPROVED the flush toilet... but didn't invent it! THAT honor went to Sir John Harrington Hence the term "I'm going to the JOHN"

[HopCar]

Groco, Raritan, and Jabsco all sell toilets, not heads. As I tell people on my boat, "Go down the steps, there's a bathroom on the right." (Thank you Credence) Now get up on the pointy end and untie that rope.
In my marine store, everyone refers to the room as the Head. If the new Practical Sailor is in, it's called the Library.

[sarafina]

Originally Posted by Hydra

Since my boat speaks French, the name of the area isn't relevant to this thread. But the Thunder Box is called the Throne .

Alain

oooh ehhh la wvc?

[Unicorn Dreams]

My apologies, forgot about Sir John...

[sabray]

What happened to the poop deck I am so not going to tell the story of s cold winter dsy in wickford. It ends with an elderly lady in her Sunday morning best loudly proclaiming Charles what is he doing on the back of that boat ohhhhh my god!

[hummingway]

Make more sense to call the thing Tails if you ask me. More anatomically correct!

[44'cruisingcat]

Dunny.

[capngeo]

The Irish call it "the Jacks"