Commode
Meaning: A Southern and older euphemistic term for a toilet, still heard in rural areas.
In the South, many people call the toilet a 'commode.' It's considered more polite or genteel than saying 'toilet.' This reflects the Southern tendency toward euphemism — using a softer, more refined word for something considered indelicate.
Examples
- Someone left the commode seat up again. 又有人把马桶盖留在上面了。Alguien ha vuelto a dejar la tapa del váter levantada.また誰かが便座を上げっぱなしにした。또 누가 변기 뚜껑을 올려놓고 그냥 갔네.
- The commode in the guest bathroom is running — can you fix it? 客房卫生间的马桶一直在漏水——你能修修吗?El váter del baño de invitados no para de correr — ¿puedes arreglarlo?客室のトイレの水が止まらないんだけど、直してくれない?손님용 화장실 변기에서 물이 계속 흐르는데, 고쳐줄 수 있어?
- Make sure you clean the commode before company gets here. 客人来之前把马桶打扫干净。Asegúrate de limpiar el váter antes de que lleguen las visitas.お客さんが来る前にトイレをきれいにしておいてね。손님 오기 전에 변기 깨끗이 닦아놔.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: household, plumbing, euphemism
Tone: euphemistic, practical
✓ Do Say
- The commode is clogged.The commode is clogged.(马桶堵了。)El váter está atascado.The commode is clogged.(トイレが詰まった)변기가 막혔어.
- Put the commode seat down.Put the commode seat down.(把马桶盖放下来。)Baja la tapa del váter.Put the commode seat down.(便座を下ろして)변기 뚜껑 내려놔.
✗ Don't Say
- Outside the South, 'commode' may sound old-fashioned — most Americans say 'toilet'在南方以外的地方,commode可能听起来老土——大多数美国人直接说toiletFuera del Sur, 'commode' puede sonar anticuado — la mayoría de los estadounidenses dicen 'toilet'.南部以外では「commode」は古臭く聞こえることがある——ほとんどのアメリカ人は「toilet」と言う남부 이외 지역에서는 'commode'가 구식으로 들릴 수 있다 — 대부분의 미국인은 'toilet'이라고 한다
Origin & History
From the French 'commode' meaning convenient or comfortable. Originally it referred to a cabinet or chest of drawers, then to a piece of furniture containing a chamber pot. In the South, it became the polite term for a toilet.
Cultural Context
Era: Traditional
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: Throughout the South
More From This Topic
More from Regional: Southern
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