3/12/09

Brit Word of the Day!

Today's BWOTD is a very common phrase and bemuses Americans!

"I'm just going to spend a penny"

'Spend a penny' = have a pee!

My mum once caused much confusion with some very good friends of ours here, when she told them she got up around 2am to spend a penny. They told us they had a whole conversation afterwards about what she could possibly 'spend a penny' on at 2am in the morning where we live! They finally plucked up the courage to ask me as it was intriguing them so much LOL!

This originates from when you had to pay a penny to use a public toilet in the UK as pictured above, which I remember, so it must have gone on well into the 1970's.

19 comments:

Danyele Easterhaus said...

that is so funny...and cute! i came over from SITS...but i've been here before! super fun.

Daryl said...

I knew that ... but I love your BWOD!

Expat mum said...

I couldn't understand what all the kerfuffle was about a few weeks ago when yer man at Aer Lingus (I think) was proposing charging coins for using the in-flight loo. And Waterloo station still makes you cough up a large coin at the turnstile before you can get into the loos.

Sassy Britches said...

How INTERESTING! I love this!

I Am Who I Am said...

Well what in the heck happens if you don't have a penny?Do you just pee on the sidewalk? I'm gonna start charging folks at my house.

Sarah - Kala said...

Are you serious? Have to pay to take a pee? Wow! Is that how the cleaners/attendants made their dosh?

Anonymous said...

I knew this but still good to hear in a blog. I live love bwotd! Its super and reminds me of home some what.

Christina - Rant Rave Roll said...

That is hilarious

Pam said...

We used to have pay toilets in the US too, I can remember them and climbing underneath the stall door! Ack! Talk about basic human rights! Meanwhile, my f-i-l used say he needed to visit Mrs. Murphy. Now explain that one!!

Anonymous said...

My girlfriend just laughed when I told her I was "going for a slash". Which, to be honest, I prefer over spend a penny ;-)

Sherri said...

Thanks Sarah for enlightening me today! I had never heard that phrase used before. I can't believe they used to charge (even if it was a penny) to pee!! I heard one of the airlines was going to try charging to use the restroom and they were told you can't do that. Thank goodness!

Jan said...

Actually they've just built a new 'superloo' (looks a bit likea tardis) at our bus station and for that you need 20p (pence) for a 'pee' talk about inflation !!!!

Peggy said...

I have never heard that one before. I had to laugh!

Muppet Soul said...

Love the blog!

Debra said...

I love it! I had the pleasure of being in England in 2003 when I was activated in the AF Reserves. LOVED England! I could listen to ya'll talk all day long and never get tired of it!

Shannon said...

I've learned something new today, LOL!

Unknown said...

I love this concept- brit word of the day. Give me more!

Winifred said...

I had to use one of these "superloos" where they charge you 20 pence. My grandson was desperate and I have to say I was very scared to get in. It was one of those all metal things where the door comes around and you are totally enclosed in it. Talk about claustrophobia. I was desperate to get out. What a relief when the door rolled back and I ran out with him. Apparently it totally washes itself from ceiling to floor. Very hygienic but scary!!!! Only for the desperate in my book.

Sam_I_am said...

haha, wow, it used to cost 10 cents to use the toilet at GC Murphy's store at our mall when I was little.