Although popular legend claims vomitoriums were rooms where participants in the infamous Roman bacchanalias could go to empty their stomachs so they could return to the feast and continue their gluttonous excesses, that is not actually what a vomitorium was. It was the name of the passageways built under the stadium seating at the Colosseum to allow patrons to enter and exist easily and quickly for an event.

Rome, known for their efficiency and engineering marvels designed the vomitorium, a series of 76 gateways, that the venue could fill or exit 50,000 spectators in less than 15 minutes.

The incorrect association of this word with the idea of Roman feasters purging themselves to continue with their gluttonous consumptions comes from English writer Aldous Huxley in his 1923 comic novel "Antic Hay." He created an elaborate explanation of these rooms the Roman party goers supposedly used and called them "vomitoriums." The only problem was, there is no evidence Romans actually engaged in this kind of behavior on a regular or widespread basis and the vomitoriums actually had nothing to do with the modern use of the word "vomit."

Today, many stadiums and other entertainment venues could take a page from the Romans and learn how to more effectively and efficiently move large crowds.

More Info: www.history.com