We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culture

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Bourdaloue?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 33,149
Share

A bourdaloue is a type of a chamberpot, supposedly named for Louis Bourdaloue, a famous 17th century priest; the story goes that his sermons were so long that listeners would need to bring along a chamberpot to get through them. As delightfully juvenile as this story is, the origins of the bourdaloue are probably much more mundane. Numerous examples of antique bourdaloues can be seen on display in museums, and it is also possible to buy modern versions, for people who might have need of a chamberpot.

The design of the bourdaloue is extremely unique. This chamberpot is designed for the use of women, having an oval shape with a lip at one end and a handle at the other. The design allows women to use the bourdaloue while standing or squatting, rather than forcing them to sit. It is most likely that the bourdaloue was designed for traveling, allowing women to attend to their biological needs without disturbing their voluminous skirts.

Because the bourdaloue was designed for women, many antique varieties are quite beautiful. Most are made from porcelain, but many are gilded, and a variety of scenes may be depicted both inside and outside the chamberpot. Many bourdaloues were quite small, making them easy to pack along on long trips and facilitating discreet use.

You may also hear the bourdaloue referred to as a coach pot or traveling chamberpot, a reference to the uses it was likely developed for. This chamberpot may have acquired the name “bourdaloue” in jest, in a reference to the priest's famous sermons, or the name may be a reference to the fact that women traveled long distances and were willing to wait for hours to get a seat in one of Bourdaloue's lectures.

The chamberpot has been heavily displaced in many regions of the world by the toilet, which is viewed as much easier and more pleasant to use. There are still some areas where chamberpots are used, however, and even in areas with toilets, a chamberpot can be useful, especially in a large, drafty house with one remote toilet, or on camping trips. For camping trips especially, a bourdaloue can be immensely useful, since women can use it standing up and dump the contents in a designated place.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Related Articles

Discussion Comments
By anon113852 — On Sep 26, 2010

Every Scottish school child learns the word 'loo' is derived from the French word for 'water'. In Medieval times it was common practice to empty the contents of chamber pots out the window onto the streets below. This would be accompanied with the warning shout “gardy-loo!” a corruption of the French phrase “garde a l’eau!” (“watch out for the water!”).

By anon108975 — On Sep 05, 2010

My uncle has a fine cobalt blue bourdaloue decorated outside and in, here in Poland. I think its circa 1750.

By anon47807 — On Oct 07, 2009

where may I buy a Bourdaloue?

By anon38177 — On Jul 24, 2009

Also wondered about possible connection to the term loo. Anyone got info to research this?

By brymo — On Mar 31, 2009

Is it possible that the term "The Loo" has originated from the "Bourdaloue" personal potty that was made for ladies to relieve themselves during the very long sermons by Father Bourdaloue.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://direct.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-bourdaloue.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.