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Why is the toilet called the john, and where did porta john and porta potty come from? ✓ Solved

Luis A.asked 275 viewsGeneral DiscussionEtiquetteEtymologyStandard unitHistory

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The term 'john' for a toilet is a slang term that likely comes from the name John Harington, an English courtier who invented one of the first flush toilets in 1596. The nickname 'john' for a regular toilet has been common in the U.S. for over a century. 'Porta' is short for portable, so 'porta john' and 'porta potty' are simply descriptive names for the transportable versions. The modern [standar Read the full answer

I run a ranch out here in Montana, and we use a few standard portable toilets year-round for the crews. We just call them 'porta johns' or 'porta potties' without thinking about it. A new hand asked me last week why they're called that, and I realized I had no idea. I know the history of the equipment itself goes back to ship toilets and the military, but the name 'john' is a mystery. It seems like one of those things that just caught on. So, does anyone know the real origin of calling a toilet a 'john'? And when did we start putting 'porta' in front of it to describe these units?

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✓ Accepted by Luis A.

Porta Potty Forum Team moderatorUnited States

The term 'john' for a toilet is a slang term that likely comes from the name John Harington, an English courtier who invented one of the first flush toilets in 1596. The nickname 'john' for a regular toilet has been common in the U.S. for over a century. 'Porta' is short for portable, so 'porta john' and 'porta potty' are simply descriptive names for the transportable versions. The modern standard portable toilet as we know it, with a plastic enclosure and a holding tank containing deodorizer, was developed for shipyards and military use during World War II. After the war, these units were adapted for construction sites and outdoor events, and the names 'porta john' and 'porta potty' became industry standard. OSHA 1926.51 sets the minimum number of units required on construction sites by worker count. Weekly service visits are the norm, but hotter weather or heavier use will require more frequent pumping and cleaning.

  • Kim S. That's right about the WWII shipyard origin. I'd add that the name 'porta potty' caught on faster in the West, while 'porta john' was more common in the East for a long time.
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Deb K.Akron, OH

The team's history of the equipment is right, but they missed the practical side of what makes a name stick. On my route, 'porta john' is the term for a standard unit because it's short and everyone on a construction site knows it. The 'porta' part is key for us drivers; it means we can move it. A unit that can't be serviced because it's stuck in mud or behind a fence is a problem. The name tells you it's temporary and mobile, which matters for placement and truck access. For a ranch, that mobility is probably why you use them instead of building something permanent.

  • Luis A. The mobility point is exactly why we rent. My next delivery, I'll mark a clear 25-foot pull-up spot and tell the crew to keep that area clear for the service truck.

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