# drive the porcelain bus

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/drive-the-porcelain-bus
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Synonym of worship the porcelain god (“to vomit into a toilet bowl, especially while drunk or hungover”).

## Examples

- He drank too much and is now driving the porcelain bus.
- I feel terrible because I am driving the porcelain bus today.
- After that wild party, he spent the entire morning driving the porcelain bus in the bathroom.
- If you mix those different types of alcohol, you will likely spend your Sunday morning driving the porcelain bus.
- The boat ride was so rough that half of the passengers were driving the porcelain bus before we reached the shore.
- Following an evening of excessive indulgence, he found himself confined to the restroom, reluctantly driving the porcelain bus for the remainder of the night.

## Origin

A humorous euphemism originating in the late 20th century, associating the placement of one’s hands upon a toilet seat during the act of vomiting with the posture required to grip the steering wheel of a bus. The porcelain of the fixture provides the vehicle, while the physical necessity of leaning over the bowl dictates the simulated driving position.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.