For years, one of the largest pop culture debates has been the issue of toilet paper placement: Over vs Under? This one decision that we make can affect your guests' perception of you and your culture. Read below to understand the main arguments for each side, and the history behind this humorous, yet informative, debate.
As seen on the original 1891 patent for toilet paper, this side is the original way to fold toilet paper, with the flap facing outwards towards the user. This way allows for ease of access and quick rolling, especially when on the toilet. It's also the preferred way of displaying toilet paper in advertisements, because it looks cleaner.
The "under" way of rolling toilet paper involves the toilet paper flap hugging the wall it's closest to. This way of hanging toilet paper makes the flap more secure. This can be extremely important for those with small children, or animals that like to play around. Imagine one bump of the toilet paper causing a waterfall of wasted paper! That won't happen here.
Let's take a step back and analyze this debate throughout history...
The earliest recorded instance of toilet paper being rolled "over" was in the original patent for toilet paper itself in 1891.
Ann Landers frequently discussed this topic in her 1977 column in the Boston Globe, and it is often used as an example of social constructionism. This is a sociology construct that says that most of our reality—including our preferred way of displaying our toilet paper—is nearly completely a result of the social conventions around us.