call of nature


call of nature

The urge to urinate or defecate. Jim is off answering the call of nature. Wait a minute, I have to go answer the call of nature.See also: call, nature, of

call of nature

Euph. the need to go to the lavatory. Stop the car here! I have to answer the call of nature. There was no break in the agenda, not even for the call of nature.See also: call, nature, of

call of nature

Need to urinate or defecate, as in He left to answer the call of nature. This euphemism may be dying out. [Mid-1800s] See also: call, nature, of

call of nature

used euphemistically to refer to a need to urinate or defecate.See also: call, nature, of

a call of ˈnature

(humorous) a need to go to the toilet: He left the meeting to answer a call of nature.See also: call, nature, of

call of nature

verbSee nature’s callSee also: call, nature, of

call of nature

A need to urinate or defecate. Often used with answer: He left the room to answer the call of nature.See also: call, nature, of

call of nature

Euphemism for a need to use a toilet. The term dates from the mid-1700s. It appeared in Tailor and Cutter (Oct. 14, 1852): “The calls of nature are permitted and Clerical Staff may use the garden below the second gate.” Much more recently, a New York Times restaurant review by Frank Bruni told patrons, “Be sure to head downstairs to the bathrooms, even if nature doesn’t call” and goes on to describe their attractive appearance (Jan. 26, 2005). A similar euphemism, used mostly by women, is to powder one’s nose. Another euphemistic cliché for a restroom is little boys’ room, used by men no matter what their age.See also: call, nature, of