...well, this a the next natural subject after Ship High In Transit.
The term outhouse originally referred to an outbuilding, or any small structure away from a main building, used for a variety of purposes, but mainly for activities not wanted in the main house.
In North American English, an outhouse) sometimes also called a back house) is now a small enclosure around a pit that is used as a toilet.
In Australia the outdoor toilet is frequently referred to as a dunny or "thunderbox". Waste deposited in earth closets was also euphemistically referred to as "nightsoil".
Now for my outhouse stories.
I once used one that was placed across a narrow, deep gulch of running water. Now that was scary when you looked down. This was also the first time I rode a pig. I was probably four and was wearing a dress. As the pig's hair scratched my bare legs, I remember thinking that is why they called them razorbacks!
I was pretty ornery as a child, if you hadn't noticed, some of that orneriness still remains. I would hide behind the smokehouse when I knew Bev was going to the outhouse. I would always jump out and scare her. She would get so mad! But, hey, she should have caught on quicker, she is on the way, I always jump out and she always got scared. (I feel really bad that for years she was afraid of the dark.)
Anyway, Bev finally got smarter and made me go with her.
One night she was sitting there, screamed and jumped up accusing me of doing something. I said I did not do anything I was right there. Bev said something grabbed my behind! I shined the light in the hole and there sat...Orange Juice, my cat. OJ had been hunting and when that round object blocked her view she jumped up and batted it with her paws!
I do not think I have ever been forgiven.
