From these windows, servants in medieval Scotland would often yell
“gardyloo”.
to warn passers-by of waste from the chamber pots about to be thrown from a window into the street below.
Considering that during the day, passersby would then know to step out-of-the-way of the falling debris. However, considering that the water during those times was not the beverage of the day and by nightfall most Scots were well inebriated, another term that we all know today became defined – Shit-faced drunk, when instead of stepping aside when they heard “gardyloo”, they would look up!
- Monday Window
- Edinburgh, Scotland –Events/ Travel-Travel Photo of the Week
- Photography by Candace L Stauber
Netdancer's Musings 
That’s great. There are some much older streets in parts of the UK where timbered buildings almost touch each other across narrow cobbled alleys. It must have been risky walking down those streets!
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There are, this was a pretty little street. Ilesrned the origin of a couple of our phrases on this trip. It pays to tag along on a free tour
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Haha, another thing learned! I trust the streets smell better these days 😉 Thank you for sharing!
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Yes, especially in the spring and summer. I love obscure facts.😁
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