Have you ever found yourself looking at a public restroom sign that says “WC” and wondered what it actually means?
If you have, you’re not alone. People from all over the world have been trying to figure out what these mysterious initials stand for. “WC” is actually a symbol for a room with a toilet and a sink. But even after we explain it to you, we can’t promise it will make any more sense than calling it a bathroom, restroom, or loo!
The Great “WC” Debate
In 2020, a TikTok video made by Shelby and Dylan brought the difference in how Americans and Canadians refer to the restroom into the spotlight.
In the video, Dylan stands in front of a sign that reads “washroom” and says, “What on earth is a restroom?” He laughs and points to the sign, adding, “And what are they cleaning in there? It’s a bathroom, I see. I only wash my hands in there!”
Shelby, off-camera, asks him, “Do you rest in a restroom?”
Dylan thinks for a moment and responds, “You make a valid point. Neither of them makes much sense.”
Their playful conversation quickly caught the attention of people online. Everyone was eager to join in and share their thoughts on the names we use for this important room. Some were confused, others amused.
One person commented, “It’s called a bathroom, restroom, washroom, and toilet.” Another user shared their own funny story, saying, “I asked for the washroom at Disneyland and they sent me to the laundromat!”
But one comment stood out: “Wait ’til he finds out about water closets!”
The Water Closet
So, what exactly is a “water closet”? Well, according to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, a water closet is simply “a compartment or room with a toilet,” or “a toilet bowl and its accessories.”
It might sound strange, but the term goes way back in time. In the past, the restroom wasn’t just about the toilet. People used the space to wash up, rest, and get ready for the day by using sinks and mirrors. And of course, if nature called, the toilet was there to do its job.
Depending on where you live, this chamber might be called different things—like the loo, restroom, bathroom, washroom, lavatory, or even WC. But wherever you are, it’s all about getting access to that all-important toilet.
The Modern WC
In many public places like hotels, restaurants, and airports, you’ll still see the WC sign. It’s just another way of saying “bathroom” or “restroom.” Often, it’s used in places that cater to foreign tourists because it’s a global sign, recognized by people from different parts of the world.
But where did the term WC come from?
Back in the 19th century, indoor toilets were a luxury mostly for the wealthy. Most people used outhouses or other outdoor facilities for their bathroom needs. Homes might have had bathrooms for bathing, but toilets were usually kept separate. The invention of the water closet in the 1890s marked a big change, as it introduced the idea of having indoor plumbing, with toilets installed in people’s homes.
For many years, the toilet and bathing areas were kept in separate rooms, but in the early 20th century, bathrooms started to combine the toilet and the bathtub into one room. While this helped save space and simplify plumbing, it also created a lack of privacy—especially in shared living spaces.
Eventually, the term “water closet” came to describe a small, enclosed area within a bathroom specifically for the toilet. These tiny rooms were designed to be private and self-contained, often featuring a small sink for handwashing.
The Great Debate: Restroom, Bathroom, or WC?
On Reddit, users have been trying to solve the mystery of the water closet by sharing their thoughts. One user responded to the question, “Why is a public WC called a bathroom if there is no bath?” with a clever comment: “Americans might similarly ask: ‘Why is it called a WC (water closet) if it isn’t even a closet?’”
They went on to explain that in the U.S., terms like “bathroom” or “restroom” are used more commonly, while other countries use terms like WC, lavatory, or loo.
Another Redditor added an interesting twist, saying, “In Esperanto, it’s called a ‘necessary place,’” while someone else pointed out that in Russian, it’s called “a room without windows,” even if there’s a window.
While many users debated whether “restroom” or “bathroom” was the right term to use, others shared regional differences. One person from the Midwest said, “Washroom is fairly common here,” and another mentioned that “Canada famously uses washroom.” However, “restroom” and “bathroom” are still the most common choices in the U.S.
And of course, there were some jokes thrown in. One person commented, “You ought to be washing in there… not sleeping!”
The Mystery Lives On
Even though we’ve learned a lot about the history and meaning of WC, there’s still something fun and mysterious about the different terms we use for the same place.
It’s a room we all need but never really think too much about, except when we’re trying to figure out what to call it.
So the next time you see a WC sign, just know that it’s a term with a long history and lots of interesting meanings behind it. Whether it’s a bathroom, a restroom, or a water closet, it’s the one room we all visit for the same reason.
What do you think? Do you have a favorite term for the restroom? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
