Lilac Cottage and Other Euphemisms for the Necessary

This humble structure, built around 1780, at a discrete distance from the Warren farmhouse, was none other than the privy – or, as we might say today, the lavatory. It served the necessary purpose of waste disposal, likely relying on what was known as an “earth closet.” Now a Grade II Listed Building¹NYMNPA HER No: 18798 A privy to the south of Warren farmhouse, built in about 1780 at the same time as the house. Listed Building Grade II., it has certainly earned its place in history.

An earth closet was a straightforward affair – either a metal container or a simple hole in the ground. The unpleasantness was managed quite cleverly: ashes, peat, dry earth, or a similar concoction would be sprinkled over the waste to keep the odours at bay. A small scoop or shovel was used for this task, and charcoal or sawdust could do the trick as well. A cottage we frequented in the Lakes some twenty years ago relied solely on ash, with excellent results.

Of course, these closets had to be emptied regularly. Before modern health regulations, the contents were dried and spread as fertiliser in the fields. In places like Kildale, tenants were even required to spread “not less than Twenty Tons of well-burnt Lime and Twenty Tons of good Town Manure” on their land²Anthony, Cedric. “Glimpses of Kildale History”. Geni Printing. 2012.. The latter, otherwise charmingly referred to as “Night Soil,” came from the earth closets of local villages and towns, carted or even transported by rail.

Given the delicate nature of the privy, it is no surprise that many euphemisms have been invented for it: “Necessary House,” “Little House,” “Backhouse,” “Outhouse,” “Jakes,” and “Midden,” to name a few. But I recently discovered a particularly delightful one: “Lilac Cottage.” It seems that planting a lilac tree near the privy was a common practice to help mask any lingering smells. How charming!

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  NYMNPA HER No: 18798 A privy to the south of Warren farmhouse, built in about 1780 at the same time as the house. Listed Building Grade II.
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  Anthony, Cedric. “Glimpses of Kildale History”. Geni Printing. 2012.