Have you ever wandered the streets of St. John’s, Newfoundland, and noticed something peculiar? Some streets seem to skip a beat—literally. There’s no house numbered 19. At first glance, it might seem like a quirky urban planning mistake, but the truth behind this omission is far more intriguing—and, frankly, a bit smelly.
What makes this particularly fascinating is how a single number can carry such cultural weight. In Newfoundland, 19 wasn’t just a number; it was slang for an outhouse. Yes, you read that right. A century ago, calling something ‘number 19’ was the polite way of saying it was a toilet. This isn’t just a trivial piece of trivia—it’s a window into how language, superstition, and even urban planning intersect in unexpected ways.
Personally, I think this story highlights something deeper about human nature. We’re not just rational beings; we’re deeply influenced by the stories and symbols we create. The idea that a number could become so stigmatized that it’s erased from entire streets is both amusing and thought-provoking. It’s a reminder that even the most mundane aspects of life—like house numbers—can carry layers of meaning.
One thing that immediately stands out is how this slang term managed to rewrite the map. Streets like Smith Avenue, Morris Avenue, and Cashin Avenue in St. John’s still lack a number 19 today. What many people don’t realize is that this isn’t just a historical quirk; it’s a living testament to how language and culture can shape our physical environment. Imagine being a homeowner in the 1940s, like George Gulliver, who refused to live in a house numbered 19 because it was seen as a ‘shithouse number.’ The city actually changed his house number to 21 to accommodate his objection.
From my perspective, this raises a deeper question: How much of our modern world is shaped by the taboos and superstitions of the past? We often think of urban planning as a logical, data-driven process, but stories like this show that it’s also deeply human. The fact that entire streets were renumbered to avoid the stigma of 19 suggests that our ancestors were just as concerned with social perception as we are today.
A detail that I find especially interesting is the origin of the term ‘number 19.’ Folklore professor Philip Hiscock traces it back to golf—specifically, the outhouse on early golf courses, which was humorously dubbed the ‘19th hole.’ This is a clever play on words, given that golf courses typically have 18 holes. But what this really suggests is that the term started as an inside joke among golfers and eventually seeped into the broader culture.
If you take a step back and think about it, this is a classic example of how slang evolves. Slang often begins in small, tight-knit communities before spreading to the mainstream. By the time it becomes widely used, its origins are often lost. In this case, the term ‘number 19’ took on a life of its own, becoming so ingrained in Newfoundland culture that it influenced everything from house numbers to birthday celebrations.
Speaking of birthdays, did you know that turning 19 in early 20th-century Newfoundland was no cause for celebration? Young people would lie about their age to avoid being teased. This isn’t just a funny anecdote—it’s a reflection of how deeply the stigma of the number 19 was embedded in the culture.
What this really suggests is that language isn’t just a tool for communication; it’s a carrier of identity and history. The fact that ‘number 19’ fell out of use as indoor plumbing became widespread doesn’t mean its impact disappeared. It’s still there, etched into the streets of St. John’s, a silent reminder of a bygone era.
In my opinion, this story is a perfect example of how the past continues to shape the present in ways we often overlook. It’s also a reminder that even the most mundane aspects of life can have fascinating stories behind them. So, the next time you’re walking down a street and notice a missing house number, take a moment to wonder—what’s the story behind it?
As for St. John’s and its missing 19s, I can’t help but smile at the thought of how a simple slang term managed to rewrite the map. It’s a testament to the power of language, culture, and human ingenuity. And who knows? Maybe one day, the number 19 will make a comeback—though I wouldn’t hold my breath.
