What do you call...

[2dimes]

I think the oddest Americanism is one we encountered when we were first house-hunting. "Half-bathroom".

That's a good one too, should be called a non-bath toilet room.

[jonesthecurl]

...or just "toilet".

[mookiemcgee]

Most people call it a "turn signal" not a "turn indicator in the USA and Canada

[2dimes]

I'm going to stick with signal lights.

...or just "toilet".

That is just the fixture.

Last century I took my dad and brother flying across the US. We kept confusing people because we are Canadians and would ask, "Do you have a washroom?"

Turns out Canadian businesses put toilets and sinks in a room and call it a washroom, in the USA they put clothes washing machines in a room and call that a washroom.

I have tried to teach my children to ask for a restroom. If you say that, Canadians then tell you where the washroom is and when we travel to the USA it won't confuse the locals.

[KoolBak]

Washroom means bathroom, if you're talking to your grandparents

Laundryroom means room where washer dryer are. This, at least, in the Pacific NW. You've travelled a lot more of the US than I have Dimey, so cannot speak for all them thar udder places....

[DoomYoshi]

Around these parts, we refer to just a toilet bowl as the suggestion box, or the complaint box.

[2dimes]

I was told about washroom being a word for laundryroom last century. The lady was probably in her thirties then.

I think it was Iowa, we landed and went inside, my dad or brother asked, "Which way to the washroom?" By this time I was on to the game and said, "He is looking for a restroom." She laughed and directed him down the correct hall.

While he was gone we talked about the difference in phraseology. I don't remember if it was her or someone else, but think she was the one who explained that a washroom was where people cleaned clothes. She didn't say it was from the old days but maybe just failed to mention that part.

[riskllama]

i'm a big fan of calling it the "water closet" : 8/10 times you will get a baffled look.

[2dimes]

Try latrine.

[jonesthecurl]

i'm a big fan of calling it the "water closet" : 8/10 times you will get a baffled look.

Or just "WC".

[jonesthecurl]

I've been racking my brains for the other . "maven"-like word which is purely an Americanism, luckily I encountered it in a novel today. "Docent".

[tzor]

I think the oddest Americanism is one we encountered when we were first house-hunting. "Half-bathroom".

That's a good one too, should be called a non-bath toilet room.

If you want to get proper you call a "half-bath" a "water closet."

That reminds me of the master bathroom in my uncle's golf resort home in Florida. The oddly shaped room has a shower with two open entrances on either side with two different sets of shower heads, a tub in front of the shower between the two entrances, a wall with two full bathroom sinks, and a separate water closet with door.

Click image to enlarge.

Bad image, but the shower is to the left, the tub is straight ahead the sinks are behind it and the water closet is hidden on the right.

[riskllama]

Try latrine.

nah, that wouldn't stump anybody because of the plethora of war films & tv shows...

[2dimes]

Oh, I thought there would be at least a few women there.

[riskllama]

M*A*S*H, hellooo???
*and to a (much) lesser extent, China beach...

[2dimes]

Ah, you only hang out with senior citizens.

[riskllama]

they're nice people who are easily duped(mostly).

[KoolBak]

...and armed.

Saw a little old lady (80s?) in the grocery store parking lot the other day. Helped her with some heavy groceries. She noticed the bumper stickers on my truck that say "Criminals Prefer Unarmed Victims" and "Got Guns?". She complimented me and whipped out a little .380 from her purse and smiled. Said no criminals would steal from THIS o'lady....lmao

I reciprocated by showing her MY .380 I always have in my coat....we had a nice time chatting ;o)

[HitRed]

I like the grocery shopping/gun show mashup.

"Honey, I forgot the buns for the hamburgers, do you still want to sell your Carbine?"

[KoolBak]

[KarlaCoach]

It's pretty much a lifestyle.

[2dimes]

Firearms?

[KoolBak]

Why TF do people join here, NOT join any games, and post in the forums??? WTF, over??

[Dukasaur]

Why TF do people join here, NOT join any games, and post in the forums??? WTF, over??

Spambots. And they're getting smarter. Instead of just posting their spam, they're now smart enough to find conversations and post plausible responses to those conversations, to make themselves seem more human.

[KoolBak]

Why? What's the point?