Commode

In Southern and Appalachian speech, "commode" most often means a toilet. While the word originally referred to a chest of drawers or a decorative stand, Southerners gave it a bathroom meaning that stuck.

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #OldTimers #Southern #Euphemisms

synonyms: toilet, restroom, bathroom fixture

Hillbilly Dude Says...

Growin' up, we called it a 'commode' exclusively. I don't hear it as much these days.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

Growin' up, we called it a 'commode' exclusively. I don't hear it as much these days.

Pronunciation

[kuh-MOHD]
/kəˈmoʊd/

Meaning & Usage

- Toilet (noun, dialect)

Clara:

Where’s the bathroom?

Elmer:

Right through there - the commode’s on the left.

- Furniture - chest of drawers, cabinet

Estel:

Mama called that dresser a commode back when she was growin’ up.

variations: toilet, stool, privy

★ If you're talkin' to somebody's great granny, then I'd recommend using this term instead of that ol' nasty 't' word. ★

Origin and Etymology

From French commode, meaning "convenient" or "suitable." Entered English in the 17th century for furniture (like chests and washstands). In Southern and Appalachian English, the meaning shifted by the early 20th century to mean "toilet," likely from association with indoor plumbing fixtures built into cabinets or stands.

Usage Notes

In standard American English, commode usually means furniture; in the South/Appalachia, it usually means a toilet.
Commonly heard in older generations; younger Southerners may prefer toilet or bathroom.
Can cause confusion outside the region, where the furniture meaning is more familiar.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

What does "commode" mean in the South?

It means a toilet, not furniture.

Do people outside the South use it this way?

Rarely. Outside the South, it’s usually taken to mean a piece of furniture.

Where did this meaning come from?

Likely from the older sense of a washstand or cabinet, which was tied to early indoor plumbing and bathroom fixtures.

Is it still used today?

Yes, though more by older generations. Younger Southerners may use "toilet" instead.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 17). Commode. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/commode
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Commode." HillbillySlang.com, 17 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/commode.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Commode." HillbillySlang.com. October 17, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/commode.

advertisement...