Ballcock

Have you ever wondered where things get their names from? I was trying to figure out why my toilet made a loud noise every time I flushed it, so I did what I normally do, went on to google and typed in my problem. Lo and behold a few youtube videos popped up with a solution to my problem. The ballcock needed replacing. The what? Yeah, you heard me right, the ballcock needed to be replaced. So after I watched the video a couple of times I went to the hardware store talking like a pro, and asked for the parts I needed and replaced them successfully. I also replaced the wax seal on the bottom of the toilet in my second bathroom all in the same weekend. I can be pretty handy when need be thanks to youtube.

After I completed my project it got me thinking about who names these odd things, like the ballcock, and why was it given such a name? It was Thomas Crapper of course. Thomas Crapper (born September 28,1836 in Thorne, Yorkshire, England; died January 27, 1910) was a plumper who founded Thomas Crapper & Co in London. Contrary to widespread misconception, Crapper did not invent the flush toilet. He did, however, do much to increase the popularity of the toilet, and developed some important related inventions, such as the ballcock. A ballcock (also balltap or float valve) is a mechanism or machine for filling water tanks, such as those found in flush toilets, while avoiding overflow and (in the event of low water pressure) backflow. He was noted for the quality of his products and received several royal warrants.

                So the next time someone tells you they need to use the crapper, they aren't kidding.