How do you use "John" in a sentence?

I'm on the john. Where's the john? He's in the john.

John

Q: What does "John" mean?

American slang for toilet. 'John' is American slang for toilet. Origin uncertain—possibly from 'jakes' (old word for privy) or just using a common name. 'Sitting on the john' means using the toilet.

Slang Term American ★★★★☆ Common Very Casual

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Meaning: American slang for toilet.

美国俚语，指厕所。

Jerga estadounidense para el váter.

アメリカの俗語でトイレのこと。

미국 속어로 화장실.

'John' is American slang for toilet. Origin uncertain—possibly from 'jakes' (old word for privy) or just using a common name. 'Sitting on the john' means using the toilet.

'John'是美国俚语，指厕所。词源不确定——可能来自'jakes'（厕所的古老说法）或者只是用了一个常见的名字。'Sitting on the john'意为正在上厕所。

'John' es jerga estadounidense para el váter. Origen incierto: posiblemente de 'jakes' (palabra antigua para letrina) o simplemente usando un nombre común. 'Sitting on the john' significa estar usando el váter.

「John」はアメリカの俗語でトイレの意味。語源は不明で、「jakes」（便所の古い言葉）からか、単にありふれた名前を使ったものかもしれない。「Sitting on the john」はトイレを使っているという意味。

'John'은 미국 속어로 화장실을 뜻합니다. 어원은 불확실하며, 'jakes'(변소를 뜻하는 옛말)에서 유래했거나 단순히 흔한 이름을 사용한 것일 수 있습니다. 'Sitting on the john'은 화장실을 사용 중이라는 뜻입니다.

Examples

I'm on the john.
我在上厕所
Estoy en el váter
トイレ中だ
화장실 중이야.
Where's the john?
厕所在哪里？
¿Dónde está el váter?
トイレはどこ？
화장실 어디야?
He's in the john.
他在厕所里
Está en el váter
彼はトイレにいる
그는 화장실에 있어.

Pronunciation

/dʒɒn/

Usage Guide

Context: informal American speech

Tone: casual

✓ Do Say

American slang for toilet
美国的厕所俚语
jerga estadounidense para váter
アメリカのトイレの俗語
미국에서 화장실을 뜻하는 속어

✗ Don't Say

Not used in Britain
在英国不使用
No se usa en Gran Bretaña
イギリスでは使われない
영국에서는 사용하지 않음

Common Mistakes

American only

Origin & History

American slang, possibly from old English 'jakes' (privy). Alternatively, John became generic name for toilet as it did for a prostitute's client. Common American informal term.

Etymology: Possibly from jakes (privy)

First recorded: 20th century

Cultural Context

Era: 20th century

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal American

Pop culture: American media

Regional notes: American only.

Variations

JohnThe john