--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The word crap is actually another word…" description: "\"The word crap is actually another word that's very, very old. It was taken over from 17th century England by the pilgrim fathers and Americans were tal..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d4a/lucy-worsley-5457_17th-century_the-word-crap-is-actually-another-word-t_2301863.png" --- # The word crap is actually another word that's very, very… ![“The word crap is actually another word that's very, very old. It was taken over from 17th century England by the pilgrim fathers and Americans were talking about things being crap in the 17th and 18th centuries. What Sir Thomas Crapper – complete coincidence – does is not invent the flushing…” quote by Lucy Worsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d4a/lucy-worsley-5457_17th-century_the-word-crap-is-actually-another-word-t_2301863.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d4a/lucy-worsley-5457_17th-century_the-word-crap-is-actually-another-word-t_2301863.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d4a/lucy-worsley-5457_17th-century_the-word-crap-is-actually-another-word-t_2301863.png) > “The word crap is actually another word that's very, very old. It was taken over from 17th century England by the pilgrim fathers and Americans were talking about things being crap in the 17th and 18th centuries. What Sir Thomas Crapper – complete coincidence – does is not invent the flushing toilet, as many, many people believe, but was a great promoter for it. He ran a business marketing other people's products and that's why his name was on them. When the American soldiers came over in the First World War, they all thought it was hilarious that it said 'crapper' on them.” [Lucy Worsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-worsley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The term “crap” and the name “Crapper” have historic roots unrelated to modern toilet invention; marketing and language evolve oddly. **In simple terms:** Old words and names often get mis‑attributed. Key Takeaway Beware of popular myths. Themes history language misconception Mood curious informative Type educational historical When to use this quote - everyday conversation - historical research - marketing analysis Key Concepts etymology branding cultural transmission Questions to Reflect On - What other common terms have surprising origins? - How does branding shape product perception? A Different Perspective Myths can persist despite evidence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [American soldier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-soldier/) [Business marketing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business-marketing/) [Coincidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coincidence/) [England](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/england/) [Father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/father/) [First world war](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-world-war/) [Flushing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flushing/) [Marketing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marketing/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Pilgrim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pilgrim/) [Soldier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soldier/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [War of the worlds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war-of-the-worlds/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [World war](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-war/) ## Related quotes > [The Cure: A new dimension of the word 'crap'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-morrissey/the-cure-a-new-dimension-of-the-word-crap/) [Steven Morrissey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-morrissey/) > [There was a time in my life when I used the word 'crap' regularly and unthinkingly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharmila-tagore/there-was-a-time-in-my-life-when-i-used-the-word-crap-regularly-and/) [Sharmila Tagore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharmila-tagore/) > [“The autumn winds rushing Waft the leaves that are searest, But our flower was in flushing, When blighting was nearest. Fleet foot on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-walter-scott/the-autumn-winds-rushing-waft-the-leaves-that-are-searest-but-our/) [Sir Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-walter-scott/) > [“Flushing the toilet takes up the most of one person’s usage of water per day”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-anderson/flushing-the-toilet-takes-up-the-most-of-one-person-s-usage-of-water/) [Adam Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-anderson/) > [Above all, what socialist, without flushing with shame, maintains he is not a revolutionary? We say: none!.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-most/above-all-what-socialist-without-flushing-with-shame-maintains-he-is/) [Johann Most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-most/) > [Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears Had left the flushing of her gallèd eyes, She married. O, most wicked speed, to post…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/ere-yet-the-salt-of-most-unrighteous-tears-had-left-the-flushing-of/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [We are now in the 21st century: all books, including the Koran, should be fair game for flushing down the toilet without fear of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-harris/we-are-now-in-the-21st-century-all-books-including-the-koran-should/) [Sam Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-harris/) > [“Or is it the monthly flushing of the cannon without a birdie?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aporva-kala/or-is-it-the-monthly-flushing-of-the-cannon-without-a-birdie/) [Aporva Kala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aporva-kala/) > [People die, Rachel," Ceri said, her cheeks flushing. "Not if I can help it," I snapped. "And not of a broken heart. If you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-harrison/people-die-rachel-ceri-said-her-cheeks-flushing-not-if-i-can-help-it/) [Kim Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-harrison/) > [The crowds at Flushing Meadow are about as impartial as a Nuremberg Rally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-wooldridge/the-crowds-at-flushing-meadow-are-about-as-impartial-as-a-nuremberg/) Ian Wooldridge > [Life is like a toilet. It's full of shit. You just have to keep on flushing!..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyrachelsea/life-is-like-a-toilet-it-s-full-of-shit-you-just-have-to-keep-on/) Kyrachelsea > [The New Testament writers I think conceive of their inspired Scripture writings as flushing out, bringing to articulation, expounding and so on the climactic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-a-carson/the-new-testament-writers-i-think-conceive-of-their-inspired/) [D. A. Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-a-carson/) > [Saxton smelled really good and had a handshake that was firm. "You've grown up a lot." Blay found himself flushing as he took his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/saxton-smelled-really-good-and-had-a-handshake-that-was-firm-you-ve/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) > [Long, blue, spiky-edged shadows crept out across the snow-fields, while a rosy glow, at first scarce discernible, gradually deepened and suffused every mountain-top, flushing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/long-blue-spiky-edged-shadows-crept-out-across-the-snow-fields-while/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [The first time I played golf was in Flushing Meadows, Queens, when I was about 16 or 17. They had an 18-hole pitch-and-putt. My…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-romano/the-first-time-i-played-golf-was-in-flushing-meadows-queens-when-i/) [Ray Romano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-romano/) ## More by Lucy Worsley > [What truly gives me joy is when I get a letter from a young woman who says they saw a programme, then read a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-worsley/what-truly-gives-me-joy-is-when-i-get-a-letter-from-a-young-woman-who/) [Lucy Worsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-worsley/) > [Lots of items that survive from the past are high-status, valuable things that people have treasured.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-worsley/lots-of-items-that-survive-from-the-past-are-high-status-valuable/) [Lucy Worsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-worsley/) > [It's our job as curators to open up Hampton Court to visitors, and to look after the buildings and collections for the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-worsley/it-s-our-job-as-curators-to-open-up-hampton-court-to-visitors-and-to/) [Lucy Worsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-worsley/) > [My first time skiing was in Vail, Colorado. It was brilliant fun until I whacked myself in the face with my ski pole.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-worsley/my-first-time-skiing-was-in-vail-colorado-it-was-brilliant-fun-until/) [Lucy Worsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-worsley/) > [If you work as a curator, as I do, at Hampton Court, you sometimes wonder if there might be more to life than Henry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-worsley/if-you-work-as-a-curator-as-i-do-at-hampton-court-you-sometimes/) [Lucy Worsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-worsley/) > [I think you can be happy every day, if you are in the flow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-worsley/i-think-you-can-be-happy-every-day-if-you-are-in-the-flow/) [Lucy Worsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-worsley/) > [Windows will grow smaller again and houses will contain much less glass - not only because of the high energy costs of glass but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-worsley/windows-will-grow-smaller-again-and-houses-will-contain-much-less/) [Lucy Worsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-worsley/) > [In big museums, the role of the curator has shrunk in recent years as different branches of curatorial work - such as interpretation, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-worsley/in-big-museums-the-role-of-the-curator-has-shrunk-in-recent-years-as/) [Lucy Worsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-worsley/) > [My favorite thing is talking to people about history - that's what I like doing. The sort of history I do isn't just for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-worsley/my-favorite-thing-is-talking-to-people-about-history-that-s-what-i/) [Lucy Worsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-worsley/) > [I don't want to be definitive or the last word on anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-worsley/i-don-t-want-to-be-definitive-or-the-last-word-on-anything/) [Lucy Worsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-worsley/) > [I want to look like I'm friendly, approachable and jolly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-worsley/i-want-to-look-like-i-m-friendly-approachable-and-jolly/) [Lucy Worsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-worsley/) > [My parents weren't keen on me watching television when I was growing up, in the 70s and 80s, which is ironic given that I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-worsley/my-parents-weren-t-keen-on-me-watching-television-when-i-was-growing/) [Lucy Worsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-worsley/) > [I am a museum curator when I am not on the television and in our collection at Kensington Palace we have a book like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-worsley/i-am-a-museum-curator-when-i-am-not-on-the-television-and-in-our/) [Lucy Worsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-worsley/) > [My dad wanted me to be a scientist and I was set to study science A-levels. But after the first term I realised it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-worsley/my-dad-wanted-me-to-be-a-scientist-and-i-was-set-to-study-science-a/) [Lucy Worsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-worsley/) > [A Georgian man's shirt had a long tail, which he tucked between his legs rather like a nappy. Over it went his 'breech liners',…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-worsley/a-georgian-man-s-shirt-had-a-long-tail-which-he-tucked-between-his/) [Lucy Worsley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-worsley/) [Explore all 100 Lucy Worsley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-worsley/) ## More 17th century quotes > [Recently I was reading somewhere or other an Italian curio-dealer who attempted to sell a 17th century crucifix to J.P. Morgan. Inside it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/recently-i-was-reading-somewhere-or-other-an-italian-curio-dealer-who/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [With Brexit, and I think the extraordinary strain it's put on our constitution and our representative democracy, I do sometimes feel like I'm in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicky-morgan/with-brexit-and-i-think-the-extraordinary-strain-it-s-put-on-our/) [Nicky Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicky-morgan/) > [Perhaps people need to understand some history here. Rene Descartes, in the late 16th, early 17th century, postulated that body, mind, physicality and spirituality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-mitchell/perhaps-people-need-to-understand-some-history-here-rene-descartes-in/) [Edgar Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-mitchell/) > [“It combined corrupt simplicity with delicate ferocity, a curious variety of civilization; a tiger with a simper.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/it-combined-corrupt-simplicity-with-delicate-ferocity-a-curious/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [I'm from Holland and the history of "Admiral" is something you would read about when you're at school. Nobody knows about these stories and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roel-reine/i-m-from-holland-and-the-history-of-admiral-is-something-you-would/) Roel Reine > [Yes, I would agree that America, just like Spain was in the 17th Century, is the main empire of the world and they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viggo-mortensen/yes-i-would-agree-that-america-just-like-spain-was-in-the-17th/) [Viggo Mortensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viggo-mortensen/) > [I would love to do a period piece - in the 18th or 17th century. To me, it would be such an incredible challenge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-smart/i-would-love-to-do-a-period-piece-in-the-18th-or-17th-century-to-me/) [Amy Smart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-smart/) > [I'd share a pic if the digital camera battery wasn't as flat as 17th century Earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-haynes/i-d-share-a-pic-if-the-digital-camera-battery-wasn-t-as-flat-as-17th/) [Simon Haynes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-haynes/) > [You cannot gauge the intelligence of an American by talking with him; you must work with him. The American polishes and refines his way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/you-cannot-gauge-the-intelligence-of-an-american-by-talking-with-him/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [Technologically I live in the 17th century. I have a very simple cell phone. I say I live through the kindness of strangers, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/technologically-i-live-in-the-17th-century-i-have-a-very-simple-cell/) [Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/) > [Each of us have things and thoughts and descriptions of an amazing universe in our possession that kings in the 17th Century would have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kary-mullis/each-of-us-have-things-and-thoughts-and-descriptions-of-an-amazing/) [Kary Mullis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kary-mullis/) > [Order can arise from chaos without anyone or anything directing the process when unstable combinations of atoms perish and others persist. 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Kennedy, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-f-kennedy-jr/) > [Religion is a practical discipline and in the 17th century in the West, we turned it onto a head trip. But it's like dancing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-armstrong/religion-is-a-practical-discipline-and-in-the-17th-century-in-the/) [Karen Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-armstrong/) Browse all 43 17th century quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The word crap is actually another word that's very, very old. It was taken over from 17th century England by the pilgrim fathers and Americans were talking about things being crap in the 17th and 18th centuries. What Sir Thomas Crapper – complete coincidence – does is not invent the flushing toilet, as many, many people believe, but was a great promoter for it. He ran a business marketing other people's products and that's why his name was on them. 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