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Toilet paper: over or under?

Ruled September 2026 · 2 min read · How Settle It works

The original toilet paper patent drawing shows the roll going over. The under camp has cats and toddlers. Both sides, a ruling, and a sentence. Below: both sides as they'd actually put it, then the ruling The Judge gives when two people bring this one into a Settle It room.

Both sides

P
Priya

Over. The sheet hangs where you can see it and reach it. Under means fishing behind the roll like a raccoon.

J
Jonah

Under. The loose end sits against the wall, so a cat, a toddler, or a careless elbow can't unspool the whole roll onto the floor.

The Judge's ruling

Verdict
Over. With one exception Jonah gets to keep.

Ruling: Seth Wheeler's 1891 patent for perforated toilet paper on a roll includes a drawing, and in that drawing the paper comes over the top. The patent doesn't actually order anyone to hang it that way, but the drawing is strong evidence for Team Over. As for the hygiene argument, this court declines to inspect anyone's bathroom wall. Jonah's case is not wrong, it is just narrow: if your cat keeps unspooling the roll, hanging it under is a perfectly reasonable defense.

Sentence: Over in every bathroom in this house, except the one the cat can reach. Priya stops flipping the roll at other people's houses.

Verdict card: Toilet paper: over or under? — Over. With one exception Jonah gets to keep.

Share the card, or better, send the loser the link. Sample ruling. In the app, the Judge waits for both sides and can ask follow-up questions before deciding.

Settle yours → Free. Two people, one thread, one verdict.

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