Why Do Marines Call The Bathroom The Head? Unveiling The Naval Tradition

A bathroom on a marine vessel is commonly referred to as “the head.” This name originates from its historical location at the bow or fore of the ship, a term which has been used since at least 1708, as documented in Woodes Rogers’ book “A Cruising Voyage Around the World.” This information comes from the Naval Heritage and History Command and can also be found on Ask.com. The use of the term “head” for ship bathrooms has persisted through maritime history and remains a recognizable term for these facilities today.

In the military, the term commonly used to refer to a bathroom is “latrine.” This term is particularly prevalent in the United States military, specifically within the Army and Air Force. A latrine is essentially any facility within the military premises where human waste is disposed of. This includes what civilians might typically call a bathroom or toilet, irrespective of whether it is a modern, state-of-the-art facility or a more primitive setup. So, when discussing military facilities for bodily needs, it’s customary to refer to them as latrines.