John

"The/a John" is standard code for a prostitute's customer.

Do you mean "hit the john" in which case it would make sense that "john" refers to a toilet.

Thanks Avangi

Thanks Ivanhr.

Does hit the john have different meaning from see the John?

I think both of them mean that a person needs to go to the restroom.

"Hit the john" is slang for going to a restroom. To see the John means what Avangi explained (a prostitute's client).

I suppose a prostitute can go to a toilet to see the John.

You're right, Ivanhr. My grandmother used to use the WC expression. I thought about it, but never made the "John" connection - especially with the capital.

I looked up "john" in my dictionary of slang. You would be surprised just how many meanings it has. It can refer to a toilet, a prostitutes client a policeman and the jack in poker, to name but a few.

Sorry - he flushing toilet was invented by http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JohnHarington(writer) in 1596. Crapper made it more popular.

LouiseTSorry - he flushing . . . . John Harrington

I see you've mastered the little blue link. [Y] Congratulations!

LouiseTThe flush toilet was invented by John Crapper of Great Britain.

The British are so clever!