www.alphadictionary.com

• discommode •

Pronunciation: dis-kê-mod • Hear it!

Part of Speech: Verb, transitive

Meaning: I know what you're thinking. No, it doesn't mean "to push someone off the toilet", it simply means to inconvenience or cause discomfort to someone—although, come to think of it, wouldn't pushing them off the toilet inconvenience them?

Notes: If you think discommode is mildly facetious, just wait until you read about its family. The adjective adhering to this noun is discommodious; the noun is discommodity. Gives us a new perspective on the commodities we purchase every day, doesn't it? In the 17th and 18th centuries commode could also refer to a tall hat for ladies, consisting of a wire frame covered with silk or lace with lappets hanging down the shoulders.

In Play: The first sense of today's Good Word, "to inconvenience", has to be rather narrowly construed: "Frederick was discommoded by the rock-and-roll group who rehearsed in the apartment above him throughout the night." They also vacuumed at two o'clock in the morning. The second sense has a much wider application: "The rain discommoded the curls of Francine's recently styled hair; she had forgotten to bring her umbrella."

Word History: Today's word has an ambiguity based on the history of commode. This word began referring to a convenience, a movable cupboard that sometimes contained a washbowl. When the washbowl became a chamber pot, the word did not migrate, since this was just as much a convenience if not a greater one. It comes from a Latin derivation, commodus "suitable, convenient, favorable", comprised of com- "(together) with" + modus "measure". The latter comes from a Proto-Indo-European word with a variant vowel: mod-/med- "(appropriate) measure", which we see everywhere in English: measure itself, remedy, medicine, but also modest, modern (from Latin modo "in a certain manner"), and much. This last word comes to us from Old English moste, the past tense of motan "to be permitted". (We should not discommode Kathleen McCune by forgetting to recognize her recommendation of today's rather amusing Good Word. Thanks again, Kathy.)

Perhaps it's a misuse, but I've heard 'commode' to mean
a footrest, a hassock of sorts.

"Station Toilet Stolen: Police Have Nothing to Go On."

Luke: Commode - a chest of drawers, a chiffonier, a wash cabinet [holding a water pitcher and a basin], a night stand, an end table, a dressing table, a port-a-potty, a flush toilet. ad infinitum. Each of probably have commodes in many rooms of the house.

reminds me of the adage: "those who live in glass houses
should not undress in the living room". Commodes
everywhere. Seldom hear the word here, must be
a regional word.

Nah, Luke. It's actually one of those high highfalutin Frog words.

Now, now, play nice.

Commode is a common word I've heard all my life referring to toilets, and once in a while to some piece of furniture. I don't suppose one could use discommode as shorthand for rising from the toilet?

Commode is a common word I've heard all my life referring to toilets, and once in a while to some piece of furniture. I don't suppose one could use discommode as shorthand for rising from the toilet?

Good one! Worth at least a kudo or two.

How about accommodeate for allowing someone to use one's potty?

....beats 'using your little boys' room'!

In the 17th and 18th centuries commode could also refer to a tall hat for ladies, consisting of a wire frame covered with silk or lace with lappets hanging down the shoulders.

Couldn't help but grin at the thought of "ladies" wearing a commode on their heads.

I actually remember telling someone on the phone that the person they wanted to speak to was indisposed but I'd be sure to have them return the call once they returned from "da sposed."