[vita32]

Originally Posted by Perikles

Interesting question. It depends on the social circles you move in. I remember as a student being asked by a high-class girl where the nearest loo was. I was around 20 years old, and I'd never heard the word before! She then rolled her eyes when she realized she was speaking to one of oi polloi, and she said lavatory, thinking this was a word I would understand.

Anyway, the word loo is nowadays quite well known. Its etymology is not so well known. Some think it is because this facility was often room no. 100 in a large building. Others think that it is because old French toilets used to have two small holes o o in the door the see whether it was occupied, so it was called l'o o'

Peep holes in toilet doors!!!