Pay toilet

A pay toilet is a toilet for which you need to pay in order to use it.

Payment can be accomplished by :

• putting money on an unattended plate
• putting money in a box with a slot
• putting money in the slot of a turnstile or spring-door
• giving the money to an attendant (who is usually also in charge of the cleaning)

The practice of charging for use of public toilets is the origin of the British euphemism for urination, to spend a penny.

History

Ancient times

The earliest public toilets were set up in Knossos of the Minoan civilization in the Crete island, now part of Greece. However, the earliest pay toilets were erected in Ancient Rome in 74 AD during the rule of Vespasian, after a civil war in Rome affected greatly the Roman finance. His initiative was derided by his adversaries, but his reply to these objections is now famous: "Pecunia non olet" ("Money does not smell").

Medieval Ages

In some cities, during the Middle Ages, there were sellers of public toilets, who were equipped with a large cloak and a bucket, and for a fee, you could use the bucket, while hidden by the cloak.

Modern times

(to be written)

Famous pay toilets

(to be written)

References

• Bathroom Blues