Chamber pot facts for kids
A chamber pot is a special bowl, often with a handle and a lid, that people used as a portable toilet, especially in their bedrooms at night. Before most homes had indoor plumbing, these pots were very common in many cultures around the world.
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What is a Chamber Pot?
The word "chamber" is an old term for a bedroom. So, a chamber pot is simply a "bedroom pot." People also called them by other names like a "jordan," a "jerry," a "po" (which might come from the French pot de chambre), or a "potty pot." Sometimes, they were even called "thunder pots" because of the sounds they might make!
A Look at History
Chamber pots have a very long history. People in ancient Greece used them as far back as the 6th century BC (that's over 2,500 years ago!). They had different names for them back then, like amis or ouranē.
For a very long time, chamber pots were the main way people handled their bathroom needs at night. Imagine having to walk outside to a cold outhouse in the middle of the night! Using a chamber pot inside was much easier and warmer.
However, things started to change in the 1800s. That's when flush toilets and indoor plumbing began to become popular. By the mid-1900s, most homes in many parts of the world had modern bathrooms, and chamber pots became less common.
Chamber Pots Today
Even though most homes now have indoor plumbing, chamber pots are still used in some places. For example, in parts of rural China, they are still a common item.
In the Philippines, people use chamber pots as urinals, and they call them arinola. In Korea, they are known as yogang. People there used them to avoid going outside in the cold winter. In North Korea, they are still used today.
Different Shapes and Uses
Sometimes, a chamber pot wasn't just a simple pot. It might be hidden inside a special chair called a close stool. Or it could be stored in a small cabinet with doors, which was known as a commode. This is why the word "commode" can also mean "toilet." If there wasn't a special piece of furniture, people usually kept their chamber pot under the bed.
Modern items like the bedpan, which is used by people who are sick in bed or have disabilities, are actually similar to the old chamber pots. They serve the same purpose: providing a way to go to the bathroom when a regular toilet isn't easily available.
Potties for Little Kids
When we talk about very young children learning to use the toilet, we often use the word "potty." These "potties" are small, toilet-shaped devices made especially for potty training. They are very much like modern chamber pots.
These potties are usually made of plastic and have a comfortable design to prevent splashes. They often have a handle for easy emptying and a non-slip bottom so the child stays safe. Many are made in bright colors or have fun cartoon characters on them to make potty training more appealing for kids.
Little children often use potties because it can be hard for them to climb onto a regular toilet. Also, the opening of a normal toilet seat is often too big for a small child to sit on comfortably without feeling like they might fall in. Potties are also handy for travel or camping with young children, as they are easy to pack and set up.
Images for kids
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A chamber pot made of Westerwald ceramics from the early 18th century, found in Bruges.
See also
In Spanish: Orinal para niños
