A restroom is different from a bathroom

Regarding the April 14 story “Bailiff leaves gun in lavatory,” I certainly agree with the general context of the article and lavatory is the correct term, but when the writer referred to the restroom as a bathroom within the article, I would think the editor should have corrected the article and reminded the writer of the flaw in the story.

It’s not a big deal, but when a person needs to relieve himself or herself at home, they go to the bathroom. It is outfitted with a toilet, bathtub, a shower or a bathtub and shower. Thus, when we were young and needed to go potty, we went to the bathroom. And when we are in town, we often went looking for a bathroom. Sometimes we would see a sign that said “men” on one door and “women” on an adjacent door and, in somewhat less frequent occasions, we’d see a sign saying “men/women” where you needed to lock the door. This I’d generally find at small businesses of various kinds. When I did not see the above sign, I’d ask one of the clerks and they would tell me the general area to find it. When I arrived there, the sign did not say bathroom, it said restroom. And, when I’m traveling, I stop at rest stops. So, I guess the gist of my letter is that using the correct terminology, particularly by a news writer, is important.

DALE FITZSIMMONS

Sandpoint