In the 1950's my father owened a service station in North Dakota. We call them gas stations today. Service refered to the services one would receive while the attendant filled your tank. That's right, there was no such thing as self-serve. An attendant would pump your gas, check your oil and wash your windows. If you were low on oil he would add it for you. You never even had to get out of the vehicle. Tire pressure low? The attendant would fill them to the right PSI.

He told me of a female customer he once had. He performed all the customary services and as she was paying she asked if the station had a whisk broom. Assuming she wanted to sweep out the floor boards he replied, "If you pull around to the side I can just blow it out with an air hose."

The woman acted mortified and sped away leaving my dad standing there in his overalls, scratching his head. He could not understand what was so offensive about an offer to blow it out with an air hose. It was only later re realized she must have asked not for a whisk broom, but a RESTROOM. Ooooops!

Guess that was one service she didn't need.