Tag Archives: etymology latrine

Where the Word “Latrine” Comes From

The term “latrine” comes from the Latin “lavare”, which means “to wash”.  The earliest references to this word being used in English goes all the way back to the mid-17th century. As an aside, the term “toilet” comes from the French “toilette”, meaning “dressing room”.  “Toilette” in turn derives from the French “toile”, meaning “cloth”.  During the 17th century, the […]

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