When you see the initials “WC” outside public restrooms, have you ever pondered what they mean?
If so, you’re not alone; people are trying to figure out the meaning of the WC, which stands for a room with a toilet and a sink, all over the world.
Furthermore, we cannot promise that the term “WC” will make any more sense than “loo,” “bathroom,” or “toilet,” even though we will explain it to you.
In 2020, Shelby and Dylan shared a TikTok video that revealed a notable difference between certain Americans’ and Canadians’ business methods.
Dylan sees the “washroom” sign and wonders, “What in the world is a restroom?”
What are they cleaning in there, too? I see that it’s a bathroom. “I only wash my hands in there,” he says to his wife. Off-camera, Shelby can be heard asking, “Do you rest in a restroom?”
“You raise an important point. “Neither of them makes much sense,” Dylan adds.
Internet users descended upon the comments section to express their opinions about the title they would like to see applied to the hallowed space. “It’s called a bathroom, restroom, washroom, and toilet,” one user comments.
Another follower said that when visiting Disneyland, they “asked for the washroom” and were “sent to the laundromat.”
A third says, “Wait ’til he learns about water closets.”
The restroom
According to Merriam Webster’s Dictionary, a “water closet” is “a compartment or room with a toilet” or “a toilet bowl and its accessories.”
In the past, people only used the restroom to take a bath. Additionally, it seems that people used the basin and mirror in the restroom to rest or get ready for the day.
Lastly, if you needed to use the restroom, you would use the water closet’s toilet. Depending on where you live, the room that houses the porcelain throne may be referred to as the loo, restroom, bathroom, washroom, lavatory, or WC.
Signs that read “WC” are now frequently seen in public places including hotels, restaurants, and airports. It is just another way of expressing “bathroom” or “restroom,” but it is sometimes associated with a more formal or international sign in places that cater to foreign travelers.
The history of the WC
Indoor toilets were seen as a luxury in America before the 19th century and were primarily utilized by the wealthy. Most people used outhouses or other outside facilities for sanitary reasons. Toilets were not typically found in households, despite the fact that “bathrooms” were commonly used for bathing. The widespread installation of indoor plumbing in the late 19th century began with the invention of the water closet by 1890. These chambers were designed to keep the bathing and toilet sections separate.
The early 20th century saw the widespread adoption of the modern bathroom, which integrates toilets and bathing facilities into a single, integrated area.
While it made sense to streamline plumbing and conserve space, putting toilets and bathtubs in the same room did undermine privacy, especially in public spaces.
The term “water closet” has since evolved to refer to a small, enclosed area in a larger bathroom that is exclusively utilized for the toilet. Often equipped with a small sink for handwashing, these water closets are self-contained and practical.
“Why is a public WC called bathroom if there is [no] bath?” is the title of a Reddit thread. By expressing their opinions, participants tried to demystify the water closet.
In reaction to the comment, a Redditor speculates that Americans may also wonder, “Why is it called a WC (water closet) if it isn’t even a closet?” The reply goes on to explain that a “bathroom” or “restroom” is the “standard US euphemism for ‘room with toilet,’ whereas other places use ‘WC,’ ‘lavatory,’ ‘loo,’ etc.
According to a third, “it’s necessary, or ‘necessary place,’ in Esperanto.” Another person adds, “Even if there is a window, it is called ‘a room without windows’ in Russian.”
However, other Redditors argued over whether to use the bathroom or the restroom.
“I’m from the Midwest, and restrooms are fairly common here,” explains one netizen. “Canada famously uses washrooms,” another adds. Bathrooms and restrooms, however, are most likely to be used.
I think it’s the finest one. “You should be washing in there,” says another. “…not sleeping.”
What is the term for the area where a toilet is located, and what do you think about toilets? Please share this story so that we can hear from others, and then tell us what you think!
