1927 Subway Bombing

[@richiehoyt8487]

Interesting to see that the newspapers of the time use the nomenclature 'tubes', that being a term I'm more used to hearing in reference to the London Underground (more specifically, the deep - level lines there, though the average passenger wouldn't really differentiate). I know that the rail tunnels under the East and Hudson rivers are referred to as 'tubes', which makes sense, but I didn't think the word was used in regard to the NY Subway, more generally; though I should say, I've never been to New York. I wonder was this, then, a word in popular usage in the '20's, and is it still, or has it died out? Also 'lavatory' is not a word I would have particularly associated with American English... perhaps it's one of those words like 'flat' (for apartment), that wouldn't be the default term in the U.S., but one still hears it from time to time..? (Sorry, I do realise that rail, and not linguistics, is your field of expertise - I'm just waffling really, and I don't particularly expect you to answer; but of course I'd be fascinated to hear anything you, or commenters generally, might have to say on the subject!)

[@Mybpeterson]

I live in the NYC suburbs and my son lives in the city. In this day and age, no one ever uses the word "tubes" to describe the subway. Typically, people don't use the word lavatory. It's far from common, but not unheard of.

[@BMTLines]

The term "tubes" to describe the subway was a bit unusual. Although the Hudson and Manhattan RR (today's PATH system) were commonly called the "Hudson Tubes". I recall seeing signs that directed people to the "Hudson Tubes" in addition to those that used "H&M". I can only assume that a lot had to do with the evolution of the terminology over the years. For example, I have seen photos of old signs and newspaper accounts refer to the Elevated as the "L" even though New Yorkers commonly call elevated lines the "El" while "L" is primarily used in Chicago. The BMT Corporation also tended to use British spelling on some of the signage it posted on its stations through the 1920s and 30s - the most common one being: "Trains Stop at CENTRE of Platform". This may also explain the term lavatory if it was still being used by newspapers to describe public restrooms in the 1920s.