Across the States: The Quirky Names We Call Portable Toilets

Ever wondered what people in other parts of the country call those plastic outhouses at festivals, construction sites, and campgrounds? Yes, we’re talking about portable toilets! From “Porta Potty” and “Portable Restroom” to some unique regional names, America has a diverse vocabulary for these crucial conveniences.

Porta Potty or Portable Toilet?

According to data gathered from Google Trends over the past year, “Porta Potty” leads the race, being the preferred term 67% of the time, while “Portable Toilet” captures 27% of conversations. But it’s the lesser-known names making up the remaining 5% that bring a dash of local flavor and character to the mix.

A Tour of Regional Terms

In places like Oregon, New Hampshire, Hawaii, Idaho, and Utah, the term “Chemical Toilet” brings a more technical feel to the humble porta john. Meanwhile, Washington State stands alone with its quirky “Honeybucket.”

Down South and across the Midwest, variations like “Portable Restroom” are popular in Louisiana, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Texas, Missouri, Kansas, Kentucky, and Massachusetts, suggesting a touch of elegance or perhaps an expectation of slightly more sophisticated features.

In an interesting twist, New Mexico, Nebraska, Mississippi, Alabama, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Michigan, Oklahoma, Connecticut, South Carolina, Georgia, New York, Indiana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, New Jersey, Illinois, Virginia, Rhode Island, and the District of Columbia all lean towards the casual “Porta John.”

Adding Local Color to the National Conversation

These regional differences highlight how diverse American English can be, much like the well-known New York Times’ U.S. Dialect Quiz, which pinpoints your American dialect based on vocabulary and pronunciation (take the quiz here). It’s a fun idea to consider adding “What do you call a portable toilet?” to this quiz to map out even more of our linguistic quirks!

Why This Matters

Understanding these regional terms is not just fun linguistic trivia. For businesses in the rental industry, knowing the local lingo can enhance advertising campaigns and connect more personally with regional customers. And for the rest of us, it’s just another way to appreciate the rich tapestry of American regional speech.

So, next time you find yourself needing to search for a “Porta Potty rental” or a “Portable Toilet Rental,” remember, you’re not just using a facility—you’re also speaking a slice of American dialect!  If you’re feeling adventurous try out these alternative search terms.