The Curious Case of the Missing Number 19: A Whiff of History in St. John’s
Have you ever wandered through an old neighborhood and noticed something odd about the house numbers? Personally, I’ve always been fascinated by the quirks of urban planning, but nothing prepared me for the story behind the missing number 19 in parts of St. John’s, Newfoundland. It’s not just a numbering error—it’s a cultural relic, a linguistic joke, and a testament to how deeply traditions can shape our physical world.
A Number with a Stench of History
What makes this particularly fascinating is that the number 19 wasn’t just skipped by accident. It was deliberately avoided because, in Newfoundland slang, 19 was once a euphemism for an outhouse. Yes, you read that right. In a place where language is as rich as the landscape, 19 became synonymous with the least glamorous of structures. This isn’t just a quirky fact—it’s a window into how communities use humor and slang to navigate everyday life.
From my perspective, this is more than just a historical footnote. It’s a reminder that language isn’t static; it evolves, adapts, and sometimes leaves tangible marks on our environment. Streets in St. John’s still skip from 17 to 21, a silent nod to a bygone era when indoor plumbing wasn’t the norm. What many people don’t realize is that this isn’t unique to Newfoundland—similar quirks exist worldwide, but the story here is particularly vivid.
The Golf Course Theory: A Hole-in-One Explanation?
One thing that immediately stands out is the theory proposed by Philip Hiscock, a folklore expert. He suggests that the term “number 19” originated from golf courses, where the outhouse was humorously referred to as the 19th hole. This raises a deeper question: how did a term from an elite sport trickle down into everyday slang?
Hiscock’s research points to the Newfoundland Golf Club, established in 1896, as a potential source. The club’s caddies, local boys from the surrounding area, likely carried the term into the broader community. But here’s where it gets interesting: the club only had nine holes. So, did the term come from abroad, brought by golfers who had played on 18-hole courses? Or was it a local invention?
Personally, I think the answer lies in the cultural exchange that often happens in small, tightly-knit communities. The term might have been imported, but it was in St. John’s that it took on a life of its own. What this really suggests is that slang isn’t just about words—it’s about identity, belonging, and shared experiences.
The Social Stigma of Number 19
A detail that I find especially interesting is how deeply the stigma against number 19 ran. Randy Cooper’s family story about his grandfather refusing to live in a house numbered 19 is more than just a funny anecdote. It highlights the power of cultural taboos. Imagine being so averse to a number that you’d petition the city to change your address!
This isn’t just about superstition—it’s about social status and self-respect. In a time when indoor plumbing was a luxury, being associated with an outhouse, even indirectly, was a mark of shame. If you take a step back and think about it, this is a microcosm of how societies create and enforce norms.
The Legacy of a Linguistic Joke
What’s truly remarkable is how this piece of slang has outlived its original context. As indoor plumbing became widespread, the term “number 19” fell out of use. But the physical evidence remains—streets without a 19, maps with gaps where the number should be. This raises a deeper question: how long do cultural artifacts persist after their original meaning fades?
In my opinion, this is where the story becomes a metaphor for the enduring nature of tradition. Even as the world changes, some traces of the past refuse to disappear. They linger in the gaps between 17 and 21, reminding us of where we’ve been and how far we’ve come.
Final Thoughts: The Power of a Number
If there’s one takeaway from this story, it’s that numbers aren’t just abstract symbols—they carry meaning, history, and emotion. The missing 19 in St. John’s is a testament to the power of language, tradition, and community. It’s a reminder that even the smallest details can tell the biggest stories.
Personally, I think this is why I love exploring these kinds of topics. They’re not just about the past; they’re about how the past shapes the present. And in a world that’s constantly changing, there’s something comforting about the enduring quirks of human culture. So, the next time you see a gap in the house numbers, take a moment to wonder—what story is it telling?
