freedom of the bathroom

freedom of the bathroom
 n.— «According to prolific writer Isaac Asimov, when two people share two bathrooms, each has “freedom of the bathroom.” This freedom entails using the resource whenever, for however long, and for whatever purpose one chooses. Unfortunately, when 20 people share those same two bathrooms, freedom of the bathroom disappears. It is a simple metaphor from which he extrapolates the problems of overpopulation-a circumstance he believed would mean the end to democracy, human dignity, convenience and decency.» —“Freedom of the bathroom, environmental crisis and high school theater” by Kerry Litchfield Valley Reporter (Waitsfield, Vermont) Jan. 3, 2007. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)

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Further reading

Tip of the Iceberg (episode #1677)

Why does the term vegetarian cause so much confusion? Some people assume it means avoiding red meat but still eating chicken. And is there a term for a vegetarian who also eats fish and poultry? Plus, screwball comedies from the 1930s mix slapstick...

Just the Tips of the Hippo’s Ears

In English, the tip of the iceberg refers metaphorically to a small visible part of something immense. In Afrikaans, there’s a phrase suggesting the same thing that translates as “the tips of the hippo’s ears.” This is part of a complete episode...

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