house of ease
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English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From the former euphemism do one's ease (“ease one's bowels: defecate”).
Noun[edit]
house of ease (plural houses of ease)
- (euphemistic, obsolete) An outbuilding used to ease one's bowels: an outhouse.
- 1734, “Strephon & Cloe”, in Beautiful Young Nymph, Jonathan Swift, page 20:
- Had you but through a Cranny spy'd
On House of Ease your future Bride.
Synonyms[edit]
Related terms[edit]
References[edit]
- Oxford English Dictionary, 1st ed. "ease, n." Oxford University Press (Oxford), 1891.