Have you ever seen the initials “WC” on a sign outside a public restroom and wondered what it actually means?
If you have, you’re not alone! People all over the world have been curious about the mysterious “WC,” which is often used to mark a room with a sink and a toilet. But don’t get too excited—we’re about to explain what it is, though we can’t promise it will make more sense than just calling it a restroom, bathroom, or loo.
A TikTok video posted by Shelby and Dylan in 2020 uncovered a funny difference between how Americans and Canadians talk about places where you “go” to use the bathroom. In the video, Dylan walks past a sign that says “washroom” and asks, “What on earth is a restroom?” He looks at his wife and says, “I only wash my hands in there. What are they cleaning in there?”
Shelby, off-camera, playfully asks, “Do you rest in a restroom?” Dylan responds, “You make a valid point. Neither of them makes much sense.”
The video quickly went viral, and people couldn’t stop commenting on the confusion of bathroom names. One person joked, “It’s called a bathroom, restroom, washroom, and toilet.” Another commenter shared that they “asked for the washroom” at Disneyland but were “sent to the laundromat.” And a third person added, “Wait ’til he finds out about water closets.”
What is a Water Closet?
Now, let’s get to the heart of the mystery: the term “water closet.” According to Merriam-Webster, a water closet refers to “a compartment or room with a toilet,” or simply, a toilet bowl and its accessories. So, what’s the deal with this term?
Back in the day, people didn’t always use the restroom just to go to the bathroom. In the past, the “restroom” was often where you would bathe or even take time to rest. And yes, you’d also use the toilet, but it wasn’t the only function of the room. The toilet itself was often referred to as the “water closet” in older times.
Depending on where you live, the space with the toilet could be called many different things—like the loo, restroom, bathroom, washroom, lavatory, or, of course, WC. In today’s world, you’ll often find “WC” signs in public areas like hotels, airports, or restaurants, especially in places that serve foreign tourists. It’s considered a more international or formal way to refer to the restroom.
The History of the Water Closet
Here’s where things get interesting: In the U.S., before the 19th century, indoor toilets were a luxury only the rich could afford. Most people had to use outhouses or outdoor facilities for bathroom needs. People still had “bathrooms” for bathing, but toilets weren’t usually part of the room.
That changed in the late 1800s with the invention of the water closet. This was the beginning of indoor plumbing becoming more common. By 1890, many homes started getting water closets, though they were separate from bathing areas.
It wasn’t until the early 20th century that the modern bathroom, where both toilets and bathing areas are combined in one space, became more widely used. This change saved space and made plumbing easier, but it also meant that privacy was sometimes compromised, especially in places like dormitories or shared spaces.
These days, water closets are still a thing. They’re small, enclosed spaces within larger bathrooms where the toilet is separated for privacy. They often have a tiny sink for handwashing, making them convenient and practical.
Reddit Tries to Explain WC
To dive even deeper into the mystery of WC, online users took to Reddit, discussing a thread titled “Why is a public WC called bathroom if there is no bath?” In the comments, people shared their thoughts on the strange naming conventions.
One Redditor humorously wrote, “Americans might similarly ask: ‘Why is it called a WC (water closet) if it isn’t even a closet?’” They went on to explain, “A bathroom or restroom is the preferred U.S. euphemism for ‘room with toilet,’ while other places use WC, lavatory, loo, and more.”
Another Reddit user added, “In Esperanto, it’s ‘necessary place,’ while in Russian, it’s called ‘a room without windows,’ even if there’s a window.” It’s interesting to see how different languages and cultures have their own quirky names for the same place.
But the debate didn’t stop there. Many Redditors chimed in to discuss their favorite terms for the restroom. One person explained, “I’m from the Midwest, and ‘washroom’ is fairly common here.” Another pointed out, “Canada famously uses washroom,” but the words restroom and bathroom are still most commonly used in other places.
One commenter had a humorous thought, saying, “The best one is ‘You ought to be washing in there… not sleeping!’” They made a valid point—nobody should be napping in the restroom!
So, the next time you see “WC” on a sign or hear someone mention a “restroom” or “washroom,” you’ll know the history and mystery behind these quirky terms. Whether it’s called a loo, water closet, or bathroom, it all comes down to one thing: it’s the place we all go when nature calls!
What do you think of this bathroom naming debate? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
