Why is it called "The John"?

[dontwalkhand]

Why is a toilet called "The John"? I find this pretty offensive! I did my research and the toilet was invented by a guy named Thomas Crapper. Why not call it the Tom? 😡

 

[yg17]

http://www.yourdictionary.com/answers/why/why-is-a-toilet-called-a-john.html

 

[SilentPanda]

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/574/why-do-we-call-it-the-john

And the WC wasn't invented by Thomas Crapper.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Crapper

 

[Mexbearpig]

Sir John Harrington
The inventor of the flush toilet.

 

[dmr727]

You guys obviously aren't fans of Mel Brooks!

 

[steve2112]

Another question: Why are customers of a prostitute called Johns? Hmm...too lazy and it's too late for me to look it up. 🙂

 

[awmazz]

Another question: Why are customers of a prostitute called Johns? Hmm...too lazy and it's too late for me to look it up. 🙂

'John Smith', Officer. No, sorry, I don't have any identification on me...

 

[Abstract]

I wonder the same thing. Who I urinate on changes day to day. 😕

Variety is the spice of life.

 

[Melrose]

You guys obviously aren't fans of Mel Brooks!

You beat me to it! 😀

 

[Gregg2]

Sir John Harrington
The inventor of the flush toilet.

I'd always heard it was invented by Sir Thomas Crapper. But(t) that is apparently an "urban legend"

http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/factoid1/p/thomas_crapper.htm