Talk:Toilet paper

The article contains vandalism at the end of the first paragraph which I am unable to remove. "Bailey Marie Moses craps really unbelievably large ones. If you could send her an extra large 8-ply pack of Charmin that would be great. She also doesn't wash her hands so some Dial soap would be necessary too. Thank you for your time, I appreciate it."

"In legally compelled custodial or public disorder situations," it says. This is a most bizarre and evasive circumlocution. What the heck is it supposed to mean, in simple English, and could it be rephrased in that simple English? Is someone afraid to say "prison"? How does the legal compulsion have any relevance? Say what you mean, and say it clearly.

The above anon makes a good point. In fact I was about to point this out, and also ask that someone please put the "toilet paper rolls are..." in active voice so I can figure out what the hell you're talking about. Is he right, is this non-English paragraph trying to allude to some kind of prison event, if so, what event would that be exactly? [Meh... I'll be anonymous too when posting on this subject I think :)]

this page now contradicts itself ... who invented it? -- Tarquin 17:38 Feb 21, 2003 (UTC)

Good question... The opening sentence ("Toilet paper was invented by Joseph Cayetty in the United States, although some say that toilet paper was originally invented in China") could be interpreted in two ways. Does it mean that Cayetty was the first person in the United States to invent toilet paper, or that he (who happened to be in the United States) was the first person to invent toilet paper anywhere? The latter interpretation implies that those who think it was first invented in China are wrong. Can anyone clarify this?

Furthermore, this bit doesn't make sense: "In parts of Africa, the converse is true, and a left-handed handshake could be considered rude." If these Africans did it the other way round from the Indians, then it would presumably be a right-handed handshake that would be considered rude. -- Oliver P. 12:30 Mar 19, 2003 (UTC)

The article originally had a "Toilet paper was invented in China." sentence at the end of the article. I tried to combine it with the beginning, but I didn't realize that the way I phrased it made it less clear. I've changed that. Also, you're right, it's a right-handed handshake. I've changed that as well. Thanks! Let me know if my revisions are still unclear. -- cprompt

Thank you for editing it! It's very clear now, although I'm not entirely sure about the bit on the use of the bidet. Maybe that can wait until someone writes an article on them... -- Oliver P. 14:19 Mar 20, 2003 (UTC)

There are a lot more locations that use water instead of toilet paper (especially islamic regions). Perhaps increase the list, or create a separate page, for butt washing? What would be the appropriate term? --69.212.102.112 21:13, 10 Apr 2004 (UTC)

Hi, I reverted your edits to the article, I couldn't see why you deleted those bits. As to butt washing.... um we have a page at bidet you might also want to look at. How about toilet habits (not a very good suggestion, I know)? fabiform | talk 21:22, 10 Apr 2004 (UTC)

Paperless toilets

The article says that "The first "paperless" toilet was invented in Japan in 1999." Is this year accurate? I'm sure I saw demonstrations of such toilets on U.S. TV about a decade before then. Haven't they been around longer than five years? --Arteitle 06:34, Sep 1, 2004 (UTC)
I noticed that the bidet article links to the page at [1], which mentions the Washlet, a toilet seat with bidet and dryer dating from 1980. Where did the reference to 1999 come from? --Arteitle 06:44, Sep 1, 2004 (UTC)

The article didn't not refer to Lotas used by South Asian and Middle Eastern peoples to remove feaces from the anus, i added it under Modern Alternatived, also in the Middle East hotels and houses have hoses attached to toilets which are used to remove feaces someone should add something about that (SM)

57 sheets!

Can somebody cite the 57 sheets a day stat? I mean, more specifically than just Charmin'. That seems like a preposterously large amount. Even half that seems like a lot. Tuf-Kat 01:09, Dec 23, 2004 (UTC)

Well, you speak for yourself..... --pippo2001 01:39, 13 August 2005 (UTC)

Quran being used?

In some parts of the world, the use of newspaper, or Quran pages were common. - I read that in some countries, even paper bags are not to be used because it could containg pages of the Quran. I don't think that this would be so. Can you please give some references to it? --ReallyNiceGuy 14:49, May 17, 2005 (UTC)

Thanks for the fix. --ReallyNiceGuy 14:59, May 17, 2005 (UTC)

Nara period "toilet paper"

"Wooden toilet paper from the Nara period (710 to 784) in Japan. The modern rolls in the background are for size comparison" says the caption under the picture. C'mon those are pieces of wood. How can you call that "toilet paper" when it's obviously not paper? Jimp 19Dec05

I agree with this.. what's the deal? -- Sy / ^(talk) 18:31, 17 December 2006 (UTC)

Bathroom tissue

I've never heard "bathroom tissue" for toilet paper. Can someone specify by whom this term is used? Jimp 19Dec05

It's a common alternative name for toilet paper in the United States. Just do a Google search for it and you get lots of link to toilet paper products. --Cab88 08:18, 26 June 2006 (UTC)

It is used by people that can't bring themselves to say something as common as "toilet paper". Bathroom tissue has a touch of class to it. It's no different to calling the toilet a "water closet" JayKeaton 00:50, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

Method of Operation

Does anyone think it should be noted that Toilet Paper (or tissue) is one of the only products used by everyone around the world that doesn't have instructions on the package? ;o) --DrkBlueXG

Fold vs Scrunch?

I've noticed that there's no mention of the various methods of using the toilet paper... Anyone want to add it? (I haven't the time)

good stuff

this entry is really well written and has this subtle humorous aspect going on. i'd just like to say kudos to whoever wrote it. good job

-- I agree, I came to the talk page just to say this is particularly well written. I really think it's important that you kept a totally serious head when detailing the information. I love how there's a whole timeline punctuated with historical events. It's both humorous and informative at the same time, with no compromises being made on the information. This is a lot more valuable than something that plays fast and loose with the facts or isn't geared toward delivering facts. To really explore all the humorous angles of a subject you need a serious understanding of the truth, and there should be a place to get it. People come to Wikipedia for facts, and if they want facts on a humorous topic they should still get quality facts. You guys beat Dave Barry and the Klutz books and men's magazines hands down.

Spinning direction

The Installation section discusses different methods of installing toilet paper rolls, with the first two paragraphs being largely identical to [2]. (Don't know who copied who.) Let method A denote the installation depicted in [3], and method B the one in [4]. It is then claimed that:

• [Method A] allows the defecator easy access to grab the toilet paper and pull off the desired amount of paper, as the roll spins toward the user.
• [Method B] is a bit more difficult for the defecator to grab the toilet paper: as the roll spins, it spins away from the user.
• An advantage to this method [B] is that a household with toddlers is less likely to have toilet paper spun off the roll. This is because a toddler is most likely to spin the roll toward them.

First of all, saying that something "spins away" or "spins towards" something is confusing: spin is around an oriented axis. Trying to make sense of the claims anyway, they seem to describe what happens with the edge of the roll in relation to the hand as the roll is rotated by a vertical force on the side of the roll facing away from the wall. However, is it obvious that this is the method one uses? For example, if the paper is strong enough one could in both methods simply grab the edge and gently pull to set the roll in rotation. Whether or not one considers the wall to be in the way is a matter of personal taste, some probably use it as an aid.

Secondly we need references, and not just original research, as to why method B is more toddler safe. Note that in both method A and B a similar downward vertical motion of the hand, applied on the side away from the wall or on the edge of the roll near the wall respectively, can set the roll spinning.

Also, the article states that not using any roller at all or using a vertical one is "far less common". Does this represent a worldwide view (among the toilet paper users, that is)?

Finally, it'd be nice if someone could upload photographs or illustrations similar to the ones linked above, making it easier for people not used to ambiguous toilet paper holders to understand the discussion in the article.

--Woseph 18:21, 28 June 2006 (UTC)

Opening Line

"designed for the cleaning of the anus to remove fecal material after defecation or to remove remaining droplets of urine from the genitals after urination."

is accurate but not particular nice to read. Can anyone think of a more pleasant way to word this?

• No, and why should they? It's shit rag. It's used precisely to remove faeces from the anus. What do you want it to say, "it's for cute doggies to play around with"? This is the thing that always bothers me about toilet paper advertising; you can make it as nice and soft and environmentally friendly as you like and you can fill the advert with dogs and bears and what have you, but at the end of the day it's for cleaning shit out of your arse. Deal with it. Kinitawowi 14:57, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

Well-Downed Goose as a Toilet Paper Alternative is totaly OT?

What does the quote about the toilet paper alternatives contribute to the history of toilet paper? The "well-downed goose" quote seems totally off toppic and no the right tone for an encyclopedia. At most both paragraphs could be replaced with one line like: "Toilet paper was mentioned in European literature in the 16th century. [site Gargantua and Pantagruel]"

--Mk2337 04:08, 17 August 2006 (UTC)

Hard paper

Did anyone ever *like* hard bogroll? Apart, that is, from the accountants and managers of institutions like schools hospitals and prisons where saving pennies was more important than user satisfaction. Has anyone successfully got themselves properly clean with that stuff?

--Publunch 23:13, 10 October 2006 (UTC)

Roman Sponges

Does anyone find it interesting that a briny sponge-on-a-stick is not only what the Ancient Romans used to wipe their asses, but what they used to give Jesus a drink? Am I off base here? Am I near gold?

Very very interesting, I do believe you have struck gold here. You may very well be the first person in history (since the romans themselves back then) to have figured it out. JayKeaton 00:52, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

Toilet paper security? Fold v scrunch?

Come on, humor aside, this is an encyclopedia. Do these sections really have any educational value in a serious publication? No, IMHO. --CPAScott 15:03, 8 November 2006 (UTC)

The opening paragraph is a bit... weird.

Is it just me who thinks that or is there anybody else that feels that way? Craig Ponnan 00:44, 14 January 2007 (UTC)

No, it is not just you. It should be a WP embarrassment. CyberAnth 02:36, 14 January 2007 (UTC)