Toilet Glossary

ADA:

Americans with Disabilities Act. A government criteria mandating how buildings must be constructed in order to serve the needs of disabled people.

BALLCOCK:

A fill valve device in a toilet tank. A "Cock" is activated by a float "Ball" to refill tank water after a toilet is flushed.

BIDET:

A plumbing fixture similar to a toilet bowl used for washing genitals and posterior areas of the body. It is floor mounted, usually next to a toilet, and incorporates a washing basin, faucet and sprayer.

CISTERN:

An artificial reservoir for storing water. A toilet tank. This term is usually used in England.

CLOSE-COUPLED (TOILET):

A modern style two-piece toilet which is configured with a separate tank and bowl. The tank is "coupled" "closely" (directly) to the bowl by bolts and a gasket. This term is to distinguish from old style low-tank toilets where the tank mounted on the wall, above and behind the bowl and was connected by a pipe called a flush ell. 

COCK:

A faucet or valve for regulating the flow of water. See "Ballcock."

COMMODE:

An archaic style of toilet. "A box-like structure holding a chamber pot under an open seat." Sometimes slang for "toilet". Also portable chairs with collection bucket for people with mobility issues.

ELONGATED:

The optional shape of the front of some toilet bowls. About 2" longer than the standard "round front" bowl.

FIXTURE:

A broad based term usually referring to sinks, tubs, toilets, basins, etc.

FLUSH ELL:

A 90 degree tubular pipe fitting which connects the tank outlet to the bowl inlet on a low-tank style toilet.

GPF:

Gallons Per Flush. The amount of water by which toilet flush volume is measured and regulated.

HEAD:

Nautical slang for toilets on ships and boats. Derived from early sailing days when defecation was done off the "head", or bow of the ship so that splash water would rinse away the waste.

HET:

High-Efficiency Toilet. Toilets that flush using 1.28 gallons.

HIGH-TANK (TOILET):

An antique style of toilet configured with a separate tank and bowl in which the tank is wall mounted above head height and is connected to the bowl by a flush pipe. (AKA, pull-chain toilet.)

LPF :

Liters per flush. The metric amount of water by which toilet flush volume is measured and regulated.

LID:

Toilet tank lid. The removable top cover on a toilet's tank. AKA: Cover, top. (Picture) Also the top portion of a toilet seat, aka "cover."

LOW-BOY (TOILET):

A slang term for a toilet style in which the tank height is lower than normal. Usually a one piece toilet. Occasionally a two piece toilet.

LOW-TANK (TOILET):

An antique style toilet in which the the tank is wall mounted slightly higher than the bowl but lower than the older style high-tank toilets. Tank water flows from the tank to the bowl via a flush ell.

ONE-PIECE (TOILET):

An upgraded style of toilet which is configured of an integral tank and bowl which are formed as "one piece" during the manufacturing process.

OPEN FRONT:

A style of toilet seat rim where there is an open space about three inches wide at the front. Considered more sanitary in commercial applications where constant usage exceeds janitorial sanitation.

PORCELAIN:

A white ceramic ware that consists of kalin, quartz and feldspar. It is fired at high temperature on steel to make the surface of some bathtubs, kitchen sinks and bathroom lavatories.

POT:

Slang for toilet. Possibly derived from "chamber pot".

PULL-CHAIN (TOILET):

An antique style of toilet configured with a separate tank and bowl in which the tank is wall mounted above head height and is connected to the bowl by a flush pipe. Due to the height of the tank location, a chain is necessary to pull the trip lever to flush the toilet. (AKA, high-tank toilet.)

PUSH BUTTON:

A style of toilet tank flush actuator, different from the traditional trip-lever style.

RIM:

The inside edge of the perimeter of a toilet bowl. The lower portion of a toilet seat.

ROUND FRONT:

The standard shape of the front of a toilet bowl. About 2" shorter than the optional "elongated" bowl.

TRIP LEVER:

The flush handle and actuating arm on a toilet tank.

TWO-PIECE (TOILET):

A standard style of toilet which is configured with a separate tank and bowl which are connected.

ULF:

Ultra Low Flush . Designation for modern, water saving toilets. Toilets using 1.6 gallons per flush, or less.

UPC:

Uniform Plumbing Code. (The overlaying letters of URC are often mis-read as UPC in the stampings of Universal Rundle Corporation toilets.)

VITREOUS:

A surface material on some plumbing fixtures derived from or consisting of glass. It is low in porosity and is translucent.

VITREOUS CHINA:

A clay material with a vitreous surface used to manufacture some plumbing fixtures such as toilets and lavys.

WATER CLOSET:

Toilet.