Throne

[Laurence Horn]

On Dec 12, 2011, at 3:29 PM, Baker, John wrote:

>        So, nonfacetious but still colloquial?
> 
>        At some point, absence of evidence becomes evidence of absence.  I only know throne=toilet in the facetious sense, but I'm seeing some fairly compelling evidence of nonfacetious uses.  I don't think I've seen any evidence of noncolloquial uses.  As Doug Wilson suggested, catalogues of appliances/fixtures aimed at plumbers or builders would be a plausible example.
> 
> 
> John Baker

Here's one but significantly using "thrones" with scare quotes: 
http://www.ohiostatefair.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=261:throne-extension-2011&catid=1:news&Itemid=94

How about this one, offering upgrades of one's throne room at Home Depot?
http://www.bargainmoose.ca/home-depot-canada-10-off-bathroom-updates/
Oh, those funky Canadians!

LH

> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: American Dialect Society [mailto:ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU] On Behalf Of Benjamin Barrett
> Sent: Monday, December 12, 2011 3:06 PM
> To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
> Subject: Re: Throne
> 
> According to a 25-year-old I spoke with yesterday, "throne" is just a normal word meaning "toilet."
> 
> The citations I provided look clear to me. I doubt anything will change my mind now. Once you have evidence that a word _can_ be used in a certain way, oodles of other uses don't negate that evidence.
> 
> Benjamin Barrett
> Seattle, WA
> 
> On Dec 12, 2011, at 11:55 AM, Jonathan Lighter wrote:
> 
>> For people who see "throne" meaning toilet as not being colloquial or
>> facetious, what written proof will make a difference?
>> 
>> JL
> 
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