https://www.posetteforever.com/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=215&p=20368#p20368
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Visitor
Wednesday, 06 April 2005, 08:43 AM


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"Powder Room" is for the ladies.

It is derived from the way that ladies would reapply powder makeup after they have ...umm... used the facilities.  That is why there is also the saying of powdering the nose.

When in a society setting, gentlemen would say that they needed to "use the facilities" or "make a phone call" while ladies would say that they needed to "powder their nose" or "my nose is shiny".  Everyone knows what is reall  being said, but it say it directly is considered vulgar in those sort of places.

Then there is another term that came from that one, "taking a powder" which mean to secretly and quietly disappear or run away.  That came from the when a lady was uncomfortable in a particular circumstance or with the person that she was with, she would say that she needed to "powder her nose" then when out of sight she would slip away.

Now "taking a powder" is used as a general term for both men and women when they want to leave without causing a disturbance.

Pangor


