Word of the Day
27 March 2026
spud washer
nounPlumbing
A flanged rubber or foam ring that covers the spud nut on the flush mechanism of a toilet, cushioning the tank-bowl juncture to prevent leaks.
Why this one
Spud is old plumbing slang for a short threaded nipple, so the washer takes its name from the fitting it sits on rather than its shape. It carries the tank's weight as much as it seals, which is why an overtightened bolt shows up later as a slow drip.
In use
Tank was weeping at the back, so I pulled it and the spud washer had gone hard as a hockey puck.
Written by our editors to show how the term is used, not a recorded quotation.