jakes

¹ American  

[jeyks] / dʒeɪks /

noun

(usually used with a plural verb)

1. an outdoor privy; outhouse.

2. a toilet or bedpan.

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Jakes ² American  

[jeyks] / dʒeɪks /

noun

1. John, 1932–2023, U.S. novelist noted for historical fiction: pen names include Jay Scotland.

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jakes British  

/ dʒeɪks /

noun

1. an archaic slang word for lavatory

2. dialect human excrement

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Etymology

Origin of jakes

1525–35; < French Jacques, proper name; john

Example Sentences

In fact, many of his fellow jakes didn’t know until recently that he had MS.

From Washington Times • Apr. 3, 2017

“Teenage males, or jakes, that are habituated to people get a bit aggressive.”

From New York Times • Feb. 18, 2016

It seems innocuous, but in original pronunciation, it may have sounded like, he is a jakes, which is a toilet.

From Time • Sep. 20, 2013

"We're seeing about 50 times more jakes than long beards," said Ray Henard of SaltFork Hunts in Wellington, Texas.

From Scientific American • May 20, 2013

Peter is such a champion he can stand in the jakes and throw up without using his finger.

From "Angela's Ashes: A Memoir" by Frank McCourt