toilet rolln.
/ˈtɔɪlᵻt rəʊl/, U.S. /ˈtɔɪlᵻt ˌroʊl/ 1. Originally and chiefly U.S. A roll (roll n.1 6d) used for carrying grooming equipment, toiletries, etc., esp. when travelling. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > cleaning > washing > washing oneself or body > [noun] > sponge-bag
sponge bag1825
toilet roll1877
Dopp kit1937
wash-bag1972
1877 N.Y. Herald-Tribune 19 Dec. 2/3 Sets of carvers, with handles of silver, ivory, mother-of-pearl and buck-horn; toilet rolls in which to place the things indispensable for travelling. All of these are satisfactory presents.
1887 Wichita (Kansas) Eagle 18 Dec. 2/4 (advt.) Holiday presents... Toilet rolls and toilet cases fitted for ladies and gents in fine seal, alligator, morocco, Japanese and calf leather.
1895 Morning Oregonian (Portland, Oregon) 2 Oct. 5/7 (advt.) The finest assortment of purses we have yet offered... Leather toilet rolls and sets in great variety.
1904 Pharmaceut. Jrnl. 19 Mar. 417/1 (advt.) Travelling toilet rolls (waterproof) are a very good line, containing compartments for tooth-brush, tooth powder, soap, comb and hair-brush.
2. Chiefly British. A roll of toilet paper. Also (as a mass noun): toilet paper in the form of a roll.
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the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > sanitation > privy or latrine > [noun] > lavatory paper
bum fodder1650
arsewipe1677
toilet paper1877
toilet roll1881
toilet tissue1887
lavatory paper1888
bumf1912
TP1940
asswipe1958
the world > space > shape > curvature > curved three-dimensional shape or body > cylinder > [noun] > cylindrical object > formed by rolling > of soft material
roll1378
toilet roll1881
kitchen roll1931
1881 Times of India 27 Oct. 7/1 (advt.) New Toilet Roll and Holder, each Roll containing 1,000 papers.
1889 Rep. Patent, Design, & Trade Mark Cases 6 (1906) 18 Mr. W. Colley..is offering to the trade perforated toilet rolls... [He] is..offering this paper in breach of my patent rights.
1899 Pharmaceut. Jrnl. 9 Sept. 254d /1 Medicated Toilet Roll... This roll is guaranteed to contain the best medicaments for hemorrhoids and to be a perfect antiseptic paper.
1934 A. P. Herbert Holy Deadlock 172 Mr. Rigby..propped the door open with a toilet roll.
1982 Times 1 June 18/6 There would seem to be very little difference between one soft toilet roll and another.
2002 J. Mercurio Bodies 125 I snap off handfuls of toilet roll,..and hurl them into the bowl.
Compounds
toilet roll holder n. a fixture for holding a toilet roll, typically incorporating a spindle on which the roll can rotate.
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the world > space > relative position > support > [noun] > that which supports > contrivance for containing and supporting
holder1833
toilet roll holder1903
1903 O. Harriman U.S. Patent 733,480 1/1 My invention has reference to improvements in devices commonly known as paper-holders and including toilet-roll holders.
1961 Guardian 20 Jan. 2/7 17 toilet roll holders..have been broken or stolen.
2012 Northern Echo (Nexis) 14 Apr. 11 Luke..set light to a toilet roll holder in a cubicle in the gents at The Shoulder of Mutton.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2014; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1877