Privy

Slang Term BritishAmerican ★★☆☆☆ Uncommon Neutral
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Meaning: Old-fashioned word for toilet, especially outdoor.

厕所的老式说法,尤其是室外厕所。
Palabra anticuada para el váter, especialmente el exterior.
トイレの古風な言い方。特に屋外トイレ。
화장실의 구식 표현. 특히 야외 화장실.

'Privy' is an old-fashioned word for toilet, especially outdoor toilets. From 'private' (a private place). Rarely used now except in historical contexts or for rustic outdoor toilets.

'Privy'是厕所的老式说法,尤其指室外厕所。源自'private'(私密的地方)。现在很少使用,除了历史语境或指乡村的室外厕所。
'Privy' es una palabra anticuada para el váter, especialmente los retretes exteriores. Viene de 'private' (un lugar privado). Raramente se usa hoy excepto en contextos históricos o para retretes exteriores rústicos.
「Privy」はトイレの古風な言い方で、特に屋外トイレを指す。「private(プライベートな場所)」に由来する。現在はほとんど使われず、歴史的な文脈や田舎の屋外トイレについて言う時のみ。
'Privy'는 화장실, 특히 야외 화장실을 뜻하는 구식 표현입니다. 'private'(사적인 장소)에서 유래했습니다. 현재는 역사적 맥락이나 시골의 야외 화장실을 가리킬 때를 제외하면 거의 사용되지 않습니다.

Examples

  1. The privy's out back.
    茅厕在后面
    La letrina está en la parte de atrás
    便所は裏手にある
    변소는 뒤쪽에 있어.
  2. An old outdoor privy.
    一个老式的室外茅厕
    Una vieja letrina exterior
    古い屋外便所
    오래된 야외 변소.
  3. Where's the privy?
    茅厕在哪里?
    ¿Dónde está la letrina?
    便所はどこ?
    변소가 어디야?

Pronunciation

/ˈprɪvi/

Usage Guide

Context: historical, rural

Tone: old-fashioned

✓ Do Say

  • Old-fashioned for toilet
    厕所的老式称呼
    anticuado para váter
    トイレの古風な呼び方
    화장실의 구식 표현

✗ Don't Say

  • Archaic—rarely used
    古老用语——很少使用
    Arcaico, se usa raramente
    古語的——ほとんど使われない
    고어—거의 사용되지 않음

Common Mistakes

Origin & History

From 'privy' meaning private—a private place for personal business. The standard word for toilet before modern plumbing. Now archaic except for outdoor toilets.

Etymology: From privy (private)

First recorded: Medieval

Cultural Context

Era: Medieval onwards

Generation: Older generations

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Historical settings

Regional notes: Old-fashioned, mostly historical.

Variations

PrivyOuthouse

More From This Topic

Loo ★★★★★ British term for toilet. Restroom ★★★★★ American term for toilet, especially in public places. Bathroom ★★★★★ American term for toilet room; room with bath. Gents ★★★★★ British term for men's toilet. Ladies ★★★★★ British term for women's toilet. Wee ★★★★★ Children's/polite word for urination.
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