This is pretty silly. Have you ever noticed how many military portraits have a commander pointing into the distance? The idea is that he's going to lead his forces in that direction. Oxford historian Dr. Jonathan Healey imagines that they are pointing their men to the nearest toilet in unfamiliar territory, or instructing them to go over there to do their business.
Keppel is concerned that the toilets are quite some distance away and you look like you might be desperate. pic.twitter.com/Zbq4ShF3up
— Jonathan Healey (@SocialHistoryOx) January 5, 2018
After posting some examples to Twitter, other people joined in the fun.
Admiral Sir Charles Saunders points out you walked right past one and isn’t sure how you missed it pic.twitter.com/mXMLrDXy4U
— Matthew Willis (@NavalAirHistory) January 6, 2018
The Earl of Arundel says they’re down a very long hallway and you need a key, which he doesn’t have. pic.twitter.com/LGDJZ7cuXU
— Stephanie Townrow (@StephTownrow) January 6, 2018
MacArthur says they’re way over there and you’re going to need to hold it because he’s not stopping. pic.twitter.com/udDwJgQuia
— Stephanie Townrow (@StephTownrow) January 6, 2018
There are a lot more of these that you might want to check out for a laugh. -via Metafilter