Heads or tails?

[southchinasea]

Could someone please settle an argument between a North American cousin and
a Brit. Plural of marine toilets...Is it one head and two heads or one heads etc? The
source of your information would also be gratefully received?
Thanks
PS Apologies if this has already been discussed.

 

[ccscott49]

I do believe it's heads for one or two. but it all comes from naval terms for the place up fr'd where you used to go and hang in the chains for a poop, I think. from the dim and distant past if my memory serves, but I'm sure I will be corrected as to the real term!

 

[tonydyer]

I spent 36 years in the Royal Navy and the word 'Heads' was used 100% of the time. The only time the word 'Head' was heard was when aboard US ships or craft. As the British Navy was in existence long before the American continent was discovered, I guess that 'Heads' is therefore the correct term!

In ‘Jackspeak’ (Palamanando Publishing – ISBN 0 9514305 0 5) ‘Heads’ are described as the ship’s latrines – originally a plank positioned over the leeward bow wave in the ship’s head. Strictly speaking, the term should be singular rather than plural, but this conversation is only observed across the pond!

 

[SimonD]

I think the bit where the plank was is called the "beakhead". Could be wrong, but might be useful to further confuse our American cousins!

 

[tonydyer]

Beakhead - The origin of bulkhead????

 

[southchinasea]

Thanks. Heads it is...

 

[hutch]

...and "bulk" referred to quantity, I suppose!