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frogmarch

(12,154 posts) Fri Aug 19, 2022, 02:51 PM Aug 2022

'ware the stool!

When I was in high school many years ago, my World History teacher told the classs that in medieval England, people shouted "'ware the stool!" (beware the stool) as they emptied their chamber pots out their windows. (Maybe they were really shouting "Wear the stool!" )

Google doesn't seem to know anything about 'ware the stool or wear the stool . Does anyone here?

2 replies

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'ware the stool! (Original Post) frogmarch Aug 2022 OP

The phrase I'd always heard of was "Gardez l'eau," anglicized to "Gardy-loo," Ocelot II Aug 2022 #1

Fascinating! frogmarch Aug 2022 #2

Ocelot II

(115,732 posts)

1. The phrase I'd always heard of was "Gardez l'eau," anglicized to "Gardy-loo,"

Reply to frogmarch (Original post)

Fri Aug 19, 2022, 02:54 PM

Aug 2022

meaning "Look out for the water," which was shouted when emptying chamber pots out a window. For example: https://www.scotsman.com/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/gardyloo-grim-story-unsanitary-edinburgh-1480434

frogmarch

(12,154 posts)

2. Fascinating!

Reply to Ocelot II (Reply #1)

Fri Aug 19, 2022, 03:02 PM

Aug 2022

Thanks very much for the link! It looks like my teacher was probably right about 'ware the stool.

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