or house of office, subs. phr. (old).—A W.C. For synonyms, see MRS. JONES.
1611. CHAPMAN, May-Day, iv., 2. No room serve your turn but my wife’s coal-house, and her other HOUSE OF OFFICE annexed to it, a privy place for herself, and me sometimes, and will you use it, being a stranger?
1748. SMOLLETT, Roderick Random, ch. xiii. Taking the candle in his hand, which he had left burning for the purpose, he went down to the HOUSE OF OFFICE.
d. 1780. ROBERTSON OF STRUAN, Poems, 83. So to a HOUSE OF OFFICE straight a school-boy does repair, To case his postern of its weight.
