Out of Date: Grandmother’s English

Out of Date: Grandmother’s English


More than 100 years ago, when western homes had no indoor plumbing, a house would have a small shack or “closet” attached to the outside of the house. This was the family’s 厕所. It was referred to as the Water Closet or simply the W.C. You can find the word in old 19th century books. But nobody uses the term WC. Even my grandmother would find such a term out-dated. That’s why I was so surprised to see it in use everywhere in China when I first arrived here (see the Preface).

I have come across quite a few very outdated English expressions that are still commonly used in China. I call them “Grandmother’s English”. Perhaps my grandmother used them when she was a small girl, but that was many, many, many years ago! Here’s some examples:


中文              Grandmother’s English  English 2.0
公共厕所/卫生间/洗手间 WC              In a public place:
                                  restroom or (wo)men’s room
                                 In someone’s home:
                                 bathroom (even if it isn’t used for bathing)
(I have asked Brits and Australians about the use of W.C. in those countries. They have told me it is also very old-fashioned in their countries as well.)

How about “toilet”? Actually, the toilet is the actual thing you use. So the bathroom or the restroom is the room where the toilet can be found.

By the way, if you are reading this with an English version of Microsoft Windows, try this trick. Highlight “water closet”, “WC”, and “W.C.” and use the Word Thesaurus in the TOOLS menu (or press <SHIFT + F7>). Those three terms won’t even be found in the Thesaurus. Even Bill Gates doesn’t use the WC.


Grandmother’s English  English 2.0
It’s a pity             That’s too bad
                 It’s/that’s/What a shame

My grandmother often used this expression when I was a little boy. I haven’t heard anyone use it in years. And then I came to China. I heard Chinese students use this expression more in one week, then I have heard it used in the U.S. in 40 years! However, I believe “it’s a pity” may be still commonly used in Britain.


Grandmother’s English  English 2.0
Trousers             Pants
                 Slacks (casual pants)
                 Jeans (裤子)

in American English, “trousers” is very out-of-date. The last time I heard trousers used in the U.S. was by my dear grandmother.


Grandmother’s English  English 2.0
Mend             Fix/repair

Whenever I heard Chinese students use the word “mend”, I see a picture of my grandmother sewing my torn trousers. My students often say, “I have to mend my computer” or “the TV is broken and needs mending”. In fact, we rarely use “mend” these days and when we do, we usually use it for clothing. For other things that are broken, use “fix” or “repair”.