In Ireland, restrooms are commonly referred to as toilets or bathrooms. However, there are some Irish slang terms that are also used:
The Loo
“The loo” is a very common slang term for restroom or toilet in Ireland. This word is thought to be derived from the French word “lieux”, meaning “place”. It is used across all of Ireland, both in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The Bog
“The bog” is another Irish slang term for toilet or restroom. This refers to the old outdoor toilet system once used in rural Ireland, where the toilet was literally just a hole dug in a peat bog. While actual outdoor bog toilets are no longer used, the term has stuck around as a humorous slang word for restroom.
The Jacks
“The jacks” is a slang term thought to refer to “John”, a typical male first name. It is used to refer to both male and female restrooms. This term is more common in Northern Ireland than in the Republic.
Regional Variations
There are some regional variations in Irish slang terms for restroom:
- In Dublin, “the jacks” is commonly used.
- In Cork, restrooms are sometimes called “the watercloset” or “W.C.”
- In Limerick, “the fyloe” is local slang, thought to come from the Irish word “foighleann” meaning sewer.
Polite Terms
When being formal or polite, Irish people will use the terms “toilet”, “restroom”, “bathroom”, “ladies room” or “men’s room”. Here are some examples of polite phrases:
- “Excuse me, where is the restroom?”
- “Do you have a ladies’ toilet here?”
- “Can you direct me to the men’s room?”
Signage
On signs and directions in public places, the terms used are usually “ToL/Men/Mná” meaning toilet/men’s/women’s. Some examples:
| Sign | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ToL | Toilet (gender neutral) |
| Mná | Women’s toilet |
| Fir | Men’s toilet |
Conclusion
While Ireland has its fair share of colorful slang terms for the restroom like “the jacks” or “the bog”, most public signage uses the direct terms “toilet” or “men/women”. When speaking politely, it is best to use the formal terms for restroom or toilet. But you may hear Irish people refer to “the loo” or “the jacks” in casual conversation.