An outhouse is a Southern and Appalachian term describing an outdoor toilet or commode, typically a small wooden building with a simple seat or hole over a pit.
Never seen one in use, although my Dad's farm had one when he was little.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Never seen one in use, although my Dad's farm had one when he was little.
Pronunciation
[OUT-house]
/ˈaʊt.haʊs/
Meaning & Usage
- Outdoor toilet (noun)
In the backyard
June:
Ain’t no plumbing out here - just the old outhouse ’round back.
Harlan:
Hope you brought a flashlight. And a strong stomach.
variations: privy, toilet house, backhouse
★ Most outhouses had a moon cutout in the door - not for looks, but for light and ventilation. The crescent also marked it as the women’s side when there were two. ★
Origin and Etymology
The word outhouse dates to the 14th century in British English, originally meaning any small building separate from a main dwelling. In early American and Southern rural life, it became synonymous with an outdoor toilet. By the 1800s, "outhouse" was standard across rural America, remaining common longest in the South and Appalachian regions where indoor plumbing arrived later.
Usage Notes
Though now mostly historical, outhouse remains a living word in Southern and Appalachian speech, often used with humor or nostalgia. It symbolizes rural life before modern plumbing and appears in countless local stories, songs, and jokes.
Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...
Never seen one in use, although my Dad's farm had one when he was little. 
