Instead of crap jokes, maybe the post could be better used to explore the history of such an item. Explain to us where it came from and why it;s called a commode.

@Sidecutter: You'll find all that information (and more) at The Furniturist.

From Wiktionary:

Commode
1. A low chest of drawers on short legs.
2. A stand for a washbowl and jug.
3. A chair containing a chamber pot.
4. A euphemism for toilet.

I can see how one grew out of the other.

I prefer the crap jokes.

@Sidecutter: Because that's what they're called in other languages, and yes, even sometimes in English as an import word. Because I call a "toilet" a "toilet" and only shy farm people call them "commodes," it's always a dresser that I think of first when I hear "commode" anyway.

Hey, that looks like a great storage solution...

... FOR ME TO POOP ON!!

Chest of drawers, poop storage, whatever. Either way, these people need to be stopped.

For what it's worth, I really did just buy a pitchfork at Lowes's last weekend. Storm the castle, anyone?

@summerbee: Never realized it was a euphemism for toilet. I always just figured it was like a Pop/Soda thing.

Commode: for people too embarrassed to say toilet.

@Sidecutter: Are you saying this post doesn't meet the rigorous standard for etymology and historical cabinet-making analysis that you've come to expect from THE CONSUMERIST?

Commode... what a great COMMODITY.

My mother-in-law and her mom are both small-town Southern ladies. They would never be caught dead referring to anything more than the "commode" which is located in the "bathroom" (or more properly, the "water closet").

The funny thing is how "toilet" has taken on a brash connotation in American English. Most other languages refer to it directly when asking for what Americans call the bathroom/restroom.

@verucalise: groan

@illtron:

I'm with you, I've got the torches all set to go. Now if we can find some pikes for all the executive heads...

@Ash78:

Are you sure about that? I was under the impression that it was often called a water closet abroad too.

Did his office look like this?
[keralaarticles.com]

@aguacarbonica: Yes, that's the worldwide tradition, but I can probably count on one hand the number of times I've heard someone verbally ask for the WC (either US or Commonwealth). Usually it's just "toilet" or "restroom"

@Ash78: I thought water closet was a reference to size and whether or not there was a tub in there.

@Ash78: What is proper etiquette when one finds one's mother-in-law crapping on a chest of drawers?

@moore850: Pretty sure that was the inspiration.

@Ash78: In England if I wanted someone to show me where the bathroom was, I got best results by asking "Can you tell me where the ladies' is?" I.e. the ladies' room.

@Sidecutter: The thing I find most interesting is that it derives from the Latin for "convenient" which is likely what the original chamber pots were when you needed to do your business in the middle of the night and didn't want to schlep to the outhouse. I remember this discussion from high school Latin class as it always drew a chuckle

@magic8ball: I tried asking for the 'ladies' and was promptly shown out of the establishment.

/No sense of humor, those Brits.

@RandomHookup: Sorry, make that "humour".

Call it what you will, but that is one ugly lump of furniture.

Did Thomas Crapper have anything to do with
this story?

"Too bad no one informed me of the distinction before I took a crap in it."

Way to go, Ben Poopken!

"This will look great in my crappiér!"

That's good... so the most expensive toilet still is the Herbeau Dagobert at $10k when bought at a good price (~$15k locally).
[www.homeclick.com]

I'm still not sure if I'd really want a bell announcing the the world that I'm officially done with my dump.

@RandomHookup: I'm British. That was funny!

(In fact with my accent here in the US I often get asked if I'm British or Scottish. Some get confused when I answer yes.)

@FLConsumer: Alright, the poem I get, but is the ashtray really necessary? Or is it some meta-pun because the toilet itself is made from "massive ash"?

@Sidecutter: Wow what a buzz kill! I laughed... jeeze does everything have to be so serious!? He explained what it was, now we all know. If you want a friggin 30 page report go look it up yourself.

@Alex Chasick: I guess that's so you can light up a stogie as an air freshener.

OOOH! I was watching Antiques Roadshow one day and they kept referring to this one chest of drawers as a Commode! Now I get it, thanks Consumerist! :D

Why would someone pay $35,000 to take a dump on Lionel Richie?

Oh....commode...I thought the headline said 'commodore'! My mistake!

@Ash78: Toilet - the plumbing fixture you do your business in.

"Bathroom" - room with the toilet in it, often with a bathtub. "Powder Room" - bathroom with just a sink and toilet, no tub. "Restroom" - public powder room.

Is there any story behind that orphaned asterisk? It's just begging for a footnote.

@Ash78: Where I come from it's called the poop deck...AARGH!