<P> Outhouses are commonly humble and utilitarian, made of lumber or plywood . This is especially so they can easily be moved when the earthen pit fills up . Depending on the size of the pit and the amount of use, this can be fairly frequent, sometimes yearly . As pundit "Jackpine" Bob Cary wrote: "Anyone can build an outhouse, but not everyone can build a good outhouse ." Floor plans typically are rectangular or square, but hexagonal outhouses have been built . </P> <P> The arrangements inside the outhouse vary by culture . In Western societies, many, though not all, have at least one seat with a hole in it, above a small pit . Others, often in more rural, older areas in European countries, simply have a hole with two indents on either side for your feet . In Eastern societies, there is a hole in the floor, over which the user crouches . A roll of toilet paper is usually available . Old corn cobs, leaves, or other types of paper are also used . </P> <P> The decoration on the outhouse door has no standard . The well - known crescent moon on American outhouses was popularized by cartoonists and had a questionable basis in fact . There are authors who claim the practice began during the colonial period as an early "mens" / "ladies" designation for an illiterate populace (the sun and moon being popular symbols for the sexes during those times). Others dismiss the claim as an urban legend . What is certain is that the purpose of the hole is for venting and light and there were a wide variety of shapes and placements employed . </P> <P> The shelter may cover very different sorts of toilets . A common one is the pit latrine or pit toilet, which collects human feces in a hole in the ground . When properly built and maintained they can decrease the spread of disease by reducing the amount of human feces in the environment from open defecation . When the pit fills to within 0.5 meters (1.6 feet) of the top, it should be either emptied or a new pit constructed and the shelter moved or re-built at the new location . The management of the fecal sludge removed from the pit is complicated . There are both environment and health risks if not done properly . As of 2013 pit latrines are used by an estimated 1.77 billion people . This is mostly in the developing world as well as in rural and wilderness areas . </P>

Why is there a moon cut out on outhouses