Spend a penny

[NutmegCT]

Looks like a penny still has value -

 

[JPSmit]

makes cents.

BTW at the beginning, he reaches for something on the wall - it is white - he pushes some buttons and holds it up to his ear. What is it?

 

[Basil]

That's fascinating. Thanks for posting.

 

[NutmegCT]

Boggles the mind - how that was designed and constructed back in the mid 1800s.

My mind is gone, just trying to work on my 1940s Seth Thomas mantel clock, 891!

 

[equiprx]

Do you know what the slang expression 'spend a penny' means?

 

[Basil]

Do you know what the slang expression 'spend a penny' means?

Do tell (if it’s family friendly)

 

[NutmegCT]

When public water closets (toilets for women) were first installed in London (ca. 1850), people had to pay one penny to unlock the door.

So "spend a penny" was a euphemism for going to P.

 

[equiprx]

When public water closets (toilets for women) were first installed in London (ca. 1850), people had to pay one penny to unlock the door.

So "spend a penny" was a euphemism for going to P.

Thanks, I knew what it meant, but not how it was derived.

 

[Basil]

So "spend a penny" was a euphemism for going to P.

But only if you were a woman?

 

[Basil]

Thanks, I knew what it meant, but not how it was derived.

Tom was there!

 

[NutmegCT]

There were already free urinals for men, but women either had to "hold it" or find a "secluded place".