Have you ever spotted the letters “WC” on a sign outside a public bathroom and wondered what they mean? If you have, you’re not alone! People all around the world are curious about the mystery of the “WC,” which stands for a room containing a toilet and a place to wash your hands.
But don’t worry; we’ll help you unravel this mystery, even if it doesn’t make the terms restroom, bathroom, or loo any clearer!
Back in 2020, a couple named Shelby and Dylan went viral on TikTok for their amusing take on how different Americans and Canadians refer to bathrooms. In one of their videos, Dylan walks by a sign that says “washroom” and exclaims, “What in the world is a washroom?
And what are they washing in there? Oh, it’s a restroom. The only thing I wash in there is my hands!” Off-camera, Shelby chuckles and asks, “Do you rest in a restroom?” Dylan nods, responding, “That’s a good point. They both don’t make much sense.”
People on the internet loved their playful banter and flooded the comments with their own opinions on bathroom terminology. One user chimed in, “It’s called a bathroom, restroom, washroom, and toilet!”
Another commenter shared a funny story about their visit to Disneyland, saying, “I asked for the washroom, and they sent me to the laundromat!” A third comment teased, “Wait ‘til he finds out about water closets!”
So, what is a water closet? According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, a “water closet” is a noun that describes “a compartment or room with a toilet” or “a toilet bowl and its accessories.” Long ago, people would go to the bathroom to take a bath.
When someone went to the restroom, it was for resting or getting ready for the day at the sink and mirror. And of course, if you needed to go potty, you would use the toilet in the water closet.
These days, different parts of the world have their own terms for the place where we find the porcelain throne. Depending on where you live, you might hear it called a loo, restroom, bathroom, washroom, or lavatory.
The letters “WC” often appear on signs in public places like airports, restaurants, and hotels, serving as a universal way of indicating where to find a bathroom, especially for international travelers.
The History of the WC
Did you know that before the 19th century, indoor toilets were considered a luxury in America? Most people had to rely on outhouses or outdoor facilities for their sanitary needs. Homes often had “bathrooms” for bathing, but they typically didn’t include toilets!
Indoor plumbing really took off in the late 19th century, with the advent of the water closet around 1890. These toilets were often in a separate room from bathing areas.
It wasn’t until the early 20th century that the modern bathroom, combining both bathing facilities and toilets, became more common. This setup helped save space and simplify plumbing but reduced privacy, especially when sharing the space with family or friends.
Over time, the term “water closet” evolved into a little enclosed room within a larger bathroom that was dedicated just to the toilet. These water closets usually had a small sink for handwashing, making them handy and self-contained.
To try to clear up the confusion surrounding the term “water closet,” some online users shared their thoughts on a Reddit post titled, “Why is a public WC called bathroom if there is [no] bath?” One Redditor humorously pointed out, “Americans might similarly ask: ‘Why is it called a WC (water closet) if it isn’t even a closet?’”
They explained that in the U.S., “bathroom” or “restroom” is the preferred term for a room with a toilet, while other places use “WC,” “lavatory,” “loo,” etc.
Another user chimed in, sharing that in Russian, the term used is “a room without windows,” even if there actually is a window! Someone else added that in Esperanto, it’s called “necesejo,” meaning “necessary place.”
The debate continued, with Redditors discussing the differences between “washroom,” “bathroom,” and “restroom.” One user noted, “Canada famously uses ‘washroom.’
” Another from the Midwest mentioned that while “washroom” is common there, “bathroom” or “restroom” are probably used the most. One funny comment concluded, “Best one, I think. You should be washing in there… not resting!”
So, whether you call it a WC, washroom, toilet, or restroom, the important thing is that we all have a place to take care of business! What do you think about all these different names for the same room? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
