When you say 'loo' are you speaking French?

'Loo' is a word borrowed from French 'l'eau'. The word entered the English language some time around 1675.

loo [noun] [1675]

• an old card game in which the winner of each trick or a majority of tricks takes a portion of the pool while losing pla...
• money staked at loo

Meaning: an old card game in which the winner of each trick or a majority of tricks takes a portion of the pool while losing players are obligated to contribute to the next pool; money staked at loo.

Etymology: short for obsolete English lanterloo; from French lanturelu twaddle.

Topics: Household:Objects.

Origin: From French to English.

note: Also consider lieu (place) as in lieu d'aisance (place of ease). Alternatively an anglicisation in speech of French l'eau (water). That term was originally an euphemistic allusion to the chamberpot.

See 'loo' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from French.

See more loan words from 1600s.