Thunderbox

Quick meaning: Thunderbox is a noun meaning (theater) A box of metal balls which is shaken to create a thunder sound effect.

Meaning

(theater) A box of metal balls which is shaken to create a thunder sound effect.

More Meanings

1. (military, obsolete) A blunderbuss; also, a cannon.
2. (by extension, chiefly Australia, British, slang) Any lavatory or toilet, especially a rudimentary outdoor latrine or toilet, or an outhouse.
3. (slang) A chamber pot enclosed in a box; a portable commode.

Example Sentences

[T]he response would sound from some soldier unseen, perhaps astride a thunderbox in the ablutions.

True, our cash would run out, but Charleton wouldn't let us starve. He'd put us into shorts, and we should wash the dishes and clean the thunder-boxes and take out guests for walks.

Then there were the million-odd Indians, coolies, gardeners, house servants, ayahs, syces and others who performed the tasks that no one else would tackle; they emptied the "thunder boxes", collected the refuse and were the main source of labour in the docks.

The adults in the family used commodes or ‘thunderboxes’ – European-style toilets on which one sat. The children and servants relieved themselves in the traditional Indian way at ground level. […] [W]hen running water was introduced, the thunderboxes became flushable.

Word Forms

• thunderboxes
• thunder-box
• thunder box

Synonyms for thunderbox

Depending on context, synonyms include close-stool, can, chamber, commode, crapper, gazunder.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include thunder box, close-stool, trashbox, playbox, hum-box, icebox.

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