John & Peter

[johnno]

Why is a prison cell called a peter, and a toilet called a john

[Quizmonster]

As far back as the 17th century, a 'peter' was the name given to a large trunk/box by criminals and cab-drivers. By the 19th century, it had come also to mean a safe and a cell, too, presumably on the basis that these were also cramped, lockable places. 'John' for toilet was originally American slang, dating back to the 18th century. For more information on 'john' click http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-joh1.htm

[FredPuli]

Interesting QM. I was always led to believe that a prison cell was called a peter after Saint Peter , the early and saintly, prisoner whose custody is described in the New Testament. Not heard much nowadays but certainly in use by an older generation of London criminals well into the eighties. The use would have a certain wry humour; a criminal describing the cell as fit for a saint and so himself .

[Quizmonster]

I quite like the 'captive St Peter' concept, Fred, but not totally convinced by it. 'Peter', meaning 'cell', specifically, rather than the trunk/safe etc meanings, originated in Australia in the late 19th century, not in Britain. I'm not sure that Aussie crooks - perhaps at the time not quite so 'soft-centred' as ours - would have been likely to come up with such a religious idea!

Still, Johnno, the questioner, seems to like your answer and not mine, so that's OK. The OED certainly offers no such back-up.