Eat shit

[0628] Spend a penny

🎲 Powder one's nose
English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • A euphemism, chiefly British, meaning to urinate or use the toilet.
  • It's a polite, slightly quaint or old-fashioned way to refer to needing the restroom.

Origin

  • Originates from the UK in the mid-20th century (or slightly earlier).
  • Public toilets, especially women's toilets in places like department stores or train stations, often required putting a one penny coin into a lock mechanism on the cubicle door to access it.
  • Therefore, needing to use the toilet literally involved spending a penny.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Use the restroom / Use the bathroom (US usage more common).
  • Use the toilet / Use the loo (UK usage more common).
  • Go potty (Used with children).
  • Answer the call of nature (Formal, slightly jocular).
  • Powder one's nose (0629, chiefly women).
  • See Number one / Number two (0630, often with children).

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Nip to the loo (UK).
  • Hit the head (US Navy slang, sometimes used more broadly).
  • Take a leak / Take a piss (Vulgar, usually male).
  • Have a wee (UK/informal).

Vulgar/Emphatic:

  • Take a piss / Take a shit (Very vulgar).

Milder/Standard:

  • Use the facilities.
  • Use the ladies' room / men's room.
  • I need the toilet/bathroom/restroom.
  • Where is the washroom? (Canadian usage common).

Situational Appropriateness

  • Informal but polite, bordering on quaint or slightly old-fashioned.
  • Perfectly acceptable in most social situations in the UK, especially among older generations or in contexts where directness is avoided.
  • Might sound slightly odd or overly euphemistic in North America, where use the restroom/bathroom is standard.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • Non-native speakers, especially those familiar with American English, might be confused and think it literally involves spending money.
  • Context (need to pause an activity, looking for facilities) usually makes the meaning clear.

Examples

  • Excuse me, I just need to spend a penny before we leave.
  • Where's Grandma? Oh, she's just gone to spend a penny.
  • Hold on, I won't be a moment, just popping off to spend a penny.

Dialogue

Person A: Shall we head off now?

Person B: Yes, just let me spend a penny first. Where are the loos?

Person A: Just over there, past the cafe.

Child: Mummy, I need the toilet.

Mother: Okay darling, let's go spend a penny. (Using it somewhat playfully with a child).

Social Media Examples

  • (Rarely used on social media due to its spoken, euphemistic nature).
  • Possibly in a nostalgic post: Remember when you had to spend a penny to use the loo at the station? #OldDays #BritishThings

Response Patterns

  • Acknowledgment (Okay, Sure, Take your time.).
  • Pointing out the location of the restroom (The toilets are just down the hall.).
  • Waiting patiently.

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

  • The person saying it leaves to use the restroom.
  • Others wait or continue their conversation quietly.
  • Sometimes followed by asking where the facilities are: Excuse me, where can I spend a penny?

Conversation Starter

  • No. It's a statement of need or intention related to bodily functions.

Intonation

  • Spoken politely and discreetly.
  • Normal, calm intonation. Stress might fall slightly on spend or penny. Spend a PENny.

Generation Differences

  • More common among older generations (Baby Boomers and older) in the UK.
  • Younger generations in the UK understand it but might be more likely to say use the toilet or go to the loo.

Regional Variations

  • Chiefly British English. Understood but not typically used in North America, Australia, or New Zealand, though Aus/NZ might understand it better due to Commonwealth ties.
Eat shit
🎲 Powder one's nose