Differences between commodes and toilets

I often receive this question and many people will equate commodes to the same as toilets - but they are not. Although, you don't often hear people say where can I find the nearest commode (unless they've happened to learn all their English from an 19th century book).

As discussed in earlier posts a commode in Victorian times (and even today) is used to refer to a low-lying set of drawers or a portable washstand with a cupboard hidden beneath the counter top. However, for the purposes of this discussion we shall take the definition of the most commonly referred to definition a piece of portable toilet apparatus to collect stool and/or urine. The commode is basically a boxy structure which hides and supports a seat over a removable chamberpot or bedpan. It's often used for old age people who have perhaps mobility problems and can't get to a toilet or people with disability problems.