Here’s what the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has to say:
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A privy, a lavatory. Also attrib. and Comb. --------------------
The kind folks at the OED have even added this convenient and helpful timeline to illustrate when loo was in usage amongst the commoners.
Here are some loo samplings to enjoy at your leisure.
1943 C. Beaton in Horizon Jan. 37 They had dressed, teeth brushed, breakfasted, had visited the loo, and were on their precarious journey all in a question of fifteen minutes.
1944 Auden For Time Being (1945) 20 Between the bottle and the 'loo' A lost thing looks for a lost name.
1955 G. Freeman Liberty Man II. vi. 113 Johnnie, do take him to the loss, there's a good boy. 1957 P. Wildeblood Main Chance 57 The loo's on the landing, if you want to spend a penny.
1971 Petticoat 17 July 31/2 You can wait until he goes to the loo or, if he appears to have a bladder like an ox, send him to the kitchen for more coffee.
All you wanted to know about loo and more.
Here are some loo samplings to enjoy at your leisure.1943 C. Beaton in Horizon Jan. 37 They had dressed, teeth brushed, breakfasted, had visited the loo, and were on their precarious journey all in a question of fifteen minutes.
1944 Auden For Time Being (1945) 20 Between the bottle and the 'loo' A lost thing looks for a lost name.
1955 G. Freeman Liberty Man II. vi. 113 Johnnie, do take him to the loss, there's a good boy. 1957 P. Wildeblood Main Chance 57 The loo's on the landing, if you want to spend a penny.
1971 Petticoat 17 July 31/2 You can wait until he goes to the loo or, if he appears to have a bladder like an ox, send him to the kitchen for more coffee.
All you wanted to know about loo and more.
2 comments:
Ian Brookes is editor of the Chambers Dictionary,& is favored by puzzlers, writers and language-lovers for its pithy approach, such as defining "eclair" as a cake long in shape but short in duration. Chambers is the guy who makes the decisions on which word gets tossed to the obsolete file and which remain in use.
Currently on the save list are: jobernowl (blockhead), logodaedalus (someone skilled in the manipulative use of words), incompossible (incapable of co-existing) and supernaculum (to the last drop).
Most excellent - I'll have to check that out some day. I've already got my mind on a Canadian word for next month but there are many months to come. It might be helpful to be able to consult such a resource. Thanks!
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