I’m sure we’ve all had it happen to us before. Unsuspectingly opening the toilet/bathroom door only to be confronted with a haunting reminder of the previous user of the facilities. Apparently there’s a word for it, and it would take germans to think of it. It’s shiessegeist (and yes, apparently some people do think it means the ‘phantom shitter’, but it really refers to a spirit or ghost of a turd…).
It started out the week for me as a curiousity, as the fiance explained the existence of the word (don’t ask me why, he finds the word ‘shiesse’ hugely entertaining)… then we had a work acquaintance come over to our offices ‘to discuss opportunities’…
Some time later, (and yes, the danger music would be playing at this stage) I go into the men’s toilets to see if they had spare toilet paper in there. There he was. Casper’s less popular cousin — Gaspar the unfriendly ghost. I don’t know what you’d have to eat to make that kind of smell linger 3 hours after you leave somewhere … but seriously, no one should do that in a toilet I have to go near.
Ever.
hoodyhoo said:
I have often wondered if there is an ACTUAL phantom shitter at my office — I’m the only girl, so there shouldn’t BE a smell when I go in there unless I’ve already BEEN, but there often IS.
Jen said:
I just KNOW our phantom shitter is my vegan coworker. You just can’t eat all that healthy crap without it doing a number on your bowels. I’m tempted to sneak some bacon into her tempeh/hemp sandwich. heh-heh-heh!
Metta (the letter m) said:
We have a vegan too, god they’re bores.
tazer warrior princess said:
And this is why I never visit the men’s room. EVER.
Metta (the letter m) said:
Good move. They’re scary places, although female Gasparettes are even worse for some reason, they have the hint of lilacs and old lady fart to them.
Luda Kristen said:
But Gaspar’s so cute! Couldn’t you have made him uglier and smellier looking?
Metta (the letter m) said:
I kinda picture the cartoon Gaspar as far more cute than the real thing, like a little stink cloud wafting around looking for friends, talking to skunks “Will you be my friend?”…
The real thing is far more horrible.
Paula @ thewilyweez said:
This is my first time hearing about Gasper…I will be on the lookout.
Metta (the letter m) said:
Just avoid men’s toilets, or husbands who eat too much/too fast 🙂
mistyslaws said:
Ah, so you’ve been to my home and visited the bathroom after my husband has finished using it, have you? I am so so sorry.
Metta (the letter m) said:
I think marriage (and being in business with people) only really works when you have multiple bathrooms/toilets… or you’re better at being polite about smells than I am.
Apparently ‘phwoar, that stinks’ isn’t a nice way of mentioning you’ve run out of air freshener. Who knew?