Night soil is called night soil because it was historically the practice of removing human excrement from populated areas at night. The term is a euphemism for human waste, specifically collected from places like cesspools, latrines, and septic tanks.
Historical Context of Night Soil
The term "night soil" refers to the human excreta collected from various sources and is called "night soil" because it was typically removed during the night.
- Why Night?: This practice of removal at night was implemented primarily to avoid the smell and the general disturbance associated with the handling of human waste during daylight hours.
- Sources of Night Soil: These sources included cesspools, privies, pail closets, pit latrines, privy middens, and septic tanks.
- Laborers: Workers in this trade would perform their duties during the late hours, collecting and removing the waste to areas away from the general population.
The Process of Removal
The collection and removal of night soil was a specialized task. The workers involved in the trade would perform their duties mainly at night for two main reasons:
- Minimizing Disruption: Removing waste at night meant less disruption to daily activities.
- Reduced Odor Impact: The cooler night air often helped reduce the intensity of the unpleasant smells associated with human excrement.
Therefore, the term "night soil" aptly describes the practice of dealing with human waste during the night hours.
Table Summary
| Term | Meaning | Why at Night? |
|---|---|---|
| Night Soil | Human excrement collected from various sources | Avoid daylight disruption and reduce odor impact |
