一般统称为bathroom ,washroom或 restroom。在公共场所,,厕所门上都标有Gent’s(男厕)或Ladies’(女厕),有时也标有Men’s,Men’s room,Gentleman’s,Women’s Women’s room。如:Where is the Gent’s?
在美国,女人常用powder 来委婉地表示要去洗手间,如:I would like to powder my nose.就表现了美国人的幽默。男人用John一词来表示洗手间,如:Last night I went to visit John twice.(昨晚我去了趟厕所.) 一种更为文雅的说法称内急为“the call of nature”,那么上厕所就成了“to answer the call of nature.”