Chamber pot

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A chamber pot (also known as a chamber-pot, a chamberpot, a jordan a Po (from French "pot de chambre") or affectionately known simply as a potty) consists of a bowl-shaped container kept in the bedroom under a bed and used as a toilet at night (but almost exclusively for urine).

Chamber pots, usually ceramic, often had lids.

A peculiar form of chamber pot, the Bourdaloue, was designed specifically for females. The oblonged rectangle or oval shape of the vessel, sometimes with a higher front enabled the woman to urinate from a squatting or standing posture with out much risk of mishap, and also to help deal with the clothing of the day. The name "Bourdaloue" allegedly comes from that of a famous French Catholic priest, Louis Bourdaloue (1632 - 1704), who delivered such long sermons that females of the aristocracy attending them had their maids bring in such pots discreetly under their dresses so that they could urinate without having to leave. This however is probably no more than a myth.

Chamber pots remained in common use until the 19th century, when the introduction of inside water closets started to displace them.

Chamber pots continue in use today in countries such as China.

In the United States, the term "potty" is often used when discussing the toilet with small children - such as during potty training. It is also usually used to refer to the small, toilet-shaped devices made especially for potty training. These "pottys" are generally bought since it is difficult for children to get up onto the normal toilet as well as the larger opening in the regular toilet is much too large for a child to sit comfortably over without some type of aid.