The Late, Great Thomas Crapper

We’ll just put this particular blog down to extreme boredom after all the build-up and excitement of Christmas.  With the day winding down, and feeling at loose ends, it just hit me that this is Sunday night…and it’s going to be Monday in about six minutes.  That means, according to my self-imposed schedule, I should have something ready to post after midnight.

So what came immediately to mind when considering what I might write about tonight? (we’ll pretend you didn’t read the title)

Thomas Crapper.

Don’t even ask because I don’t have a clue.  It was just there.  Thanks to some research on outhouses for Enza, it’s one more piece weird information rattling around this head of mine.  And much like those little numbered balls pop up for lottery games, I guess tonight was Mr. Crapper’s turn to come to the forefront of my mind.

Warning: This video isn’t exactly G-rated.  More like PG-13. They don’t really say anything wrong, it’s just the WAY they say what they say.

As surnames go, I can only be eternally grateful that I don’t come from a long line of Crapper’s.   I mean really.  Can you think of any century where that would be a good name to have?  Even if your parents were filthy rich? Kings and queens even…

And what about being that kid these days – on the first day of school and having the teacher do roll call? 

“Billy Benson, Lucy Carmichael, Tommy Cra…pper?

I can just see Tommy’s little hand shooting proudly up in the air, or confidently calling out, “Here!”  Not!  No, poor Tommy would be sitting under his desk, head hung in shame, and wondering why his mother hadn’t insisted that dear old dad take her maiden name.

And speaking of Mama Crapper, who would even consider dating a guy with that last name?  When I was in school, kids whose last name was Butts were the butt of a lot of jokes.  Crapper though?   Yeah, let’s introduce the folks to prom date and soon-to-be fiance’, Tom Crapper…

Seriously though, if you can be serious about anything having to do with the name Crapper, the man did do a lot of good for modern plumbing.  No, he didn’t invent the flush toilet as many believe, but he was quite the advocate for sanitary indoor plumbing.

Did you know that on January 27th, we have the honor of celebrating Thomas Crapper Day.  While indoor flush-able toilets truly are a thing to rejoice over, I’m not entirely sure how we would do that.  Maybe decorate our toilets and have a bathroom party? Or maybe give them a good cleaning?  Some of you might want to organize a parade in your city.  Or we could petition the football people to add an additional game.  Yes, you guessed it, the Toilet Bowl.

On the other hand, maybe some of my talented author friends could take the idea in the video below and write a best seller about Mr. Crapper.

Are you distantly related to Thomas Crapper?  Would you date someone with that last name?  Marry them?   If so, would you keep your maiden name?  Settle on a neutral name and change it to Smith?

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6 Responses to The Late, Great Thomas Crapper

  1. Yeah, I’m reading it with disappointment, too. Especially since he just excels at living down to my expectations of him. Hopefully one day soon she’ll figure it out and realize that she deserves SO much more than this. But what can you tell a young girl in love? Not much. 🙂

  2. Shelly Immel says:

    Here I thought we were going to get a preview of your daughter’s-ex-boyfriend septic tank scene. But I suppose you can’t write that now that they’re dating again (she says with disappointment). 🙂

  3. Good point about Brad Pitt. But some last names should be banned. My mom went to school with a girl with the last name Wormnest (she swears it’s true), and that when she was growing up some guy went to court to change his last name, which was Pigg…because his sons were teased mercilessly (the 3 little Pigg’s). Then there was the day we both got quite a giggle over a radio announcer talking about some guy in Michigan politics named Richard Wiener. Care to bet HE went by Richard?

    In case anyone is wondering, I’m NOT being mean about last names. I just live in the world and know what people are like. And some things just invite trouble.

  4. Emma Burcart says:

    What a bad name! Although his parents probably did the best they could by naming him Thomas. It’s not like they named him Stinky, or anything. I mean, really, with the right first name you can get away with a bad last name. Just look at Brad Pitt. Would he be famous if his parents had named him Harry? There was a professor at my University named Dick Schmuck. And he didn’t go by Richard. Go figure.

  5. Glad you enjoyed it, Louise. I’ve wondered, off and on since I posted it, if I might wake up in the morning thinking…hmm…should have tried a little harder for another subject. But I just watched that video again and thought it was just as funny as the first time I saw it. It’s staying. 🙂

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, too. Sweet dreams.

  6. I’ts just midnight here in the mountain zone, so you made your deadline here, Kristy. I nearly spewed my drink watching the first video. too funny.

    happy new year. thanks for a chuckle as I head off to bed.

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