In many American high schools, if you’re caught in a hallway during class, you need something to prove that you have permission to be out of the classroom. In these schools, teachers can give out hall passes, or “potty passes.” They are often slips of paper, but sometimes are more creative, in order to force shy students to choose between feeling humiliated or holding it in. Non-shy students don’t care. Redditor bad_trip_ posted such a pass from his school. It’s a full-size cardboard cutout of a cop.
One of my teachers back in the ‘70s used a toilet seat for a potty pass. No one cared, and some would even wear it around their necks. Of course, back then it was important to go to the restroom often, because that was the only place in the building you could smoke (besides the teachers lounge).
why do adult Americans use the word "potty" rather than toilet?
I stopped using the word potty when i was 4 and to hear an adult saying they are going potty is just weird.