The Meaning Behind the ‘WC’ Sign: A Journey Through Bathroom Terminology
Have you ever noticed the letters WC outside a public restroom and wondered what they stand for? You’re not alone—people across the globe often puzzle over this cryptic abbreviation.
The Mystery of WC
Simply put, WC stands for water closet, a term historically used to describe a small room containing a toilet and sometimes a sink. While this might clarify the letters, it doesn’t exactly make the term feel more logical—similar to how “restroom,” “bathroom,” or “loo” can seem perplexing in their own right.
In 2020, a TikTok video featuring a couple named Shelby and Dylan hilariously highlighted the differences in bathroom terminology between Americans and Canadians. Walking past a sign reading washroom, Dylan quipped:
“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.”
Shelby, off-camera, cheekily countered, “Do you rest in a restroom?”—to which Dylan admitted: “Good point. They both don’t make much sense.”
The video sparked a lively online debate about what to call the sacred space. Some commenters preferred “bathroom,” while others leaned toward “toilet,” “washroom,” or “restroom.”
One person humorously recounted a Disneyland visit where asking for the washroom led them to the laundromat. Another chimed in with, “Wait until he finds out about water closets.”
What Is a Water Closet?
According to Merriam-Webster, a water closet refers to “a compartment or room with a toilet” or “a toilet bowl and its accessories.”
Historically, the term reflects a time when specific rooms served distinct purposes. Bathrooms were for bathing, restrooms for resting or grooming, and the water closet for, well, using the toilet. As indoor plumbing became more common in the late 19th century, these spaces gradually merged into the modern bathroom we know today.
The water closet, however, often remained a separate, enclosed room in some homes and public spaces, particularly in Europe and international facilities. You’ll frequently spot the abbreviation WC in airports, hotels, or restaurants, catering to a globally diverse audience.
WC Across Cultures
Online forums like Reddit often dive into the quirks of global bathroom terminology. One post posed the question, Why is a public WC called a bathroom if there’s no bath?
A user responded:
“Americans might ask, ‘Why is it called a WC if it isn’t even a closet?’”
Others shared cultural takes:
- In Russian, it’s referred to as a room without windows, even if there’s a window.
- In Esperanto, it’s necesejo, meaning “necessary place.”
- Canadians frequently use washroom, which is also popular in parts of the U.S. Midwest.
Restroom vs. Bathroom vs. Washroom
The terminology debate continues, with many feeling washroom is the most logical since washing happens there. Meanwhile, terms like restroom or bathroom remain euphemisms.
One Redditor summed it up best:
“Best one, I think. You should be washing in there—not resting.”
What Do You Call It?
Whether you say WC, restroom, bathroom, toilet, or washroom, everyone has a favorite term. What’s yours? Share your thoughts, and don’t forget to spread this story to find out what others think!
Hollywood heartthrob Tom Cruise swept off his feet by rumored ‘new’ love
Tom Cruise and his third wife, actress Katie Holmes, with whom he shares daughter Suri, divorced some 15 years ago.
Before Holmes, The Top Gun star was married two times. He and Academy award-winning actress Nicole Kidman, whose marriage lasted for a decade, adopted son Connor Cruise, 25, and daughter Isabella “Bella” Cruise, 27, when the two were just months old.
However, after his split with Holmes, the public hasn’t really known much about Cruise’s private life and whether he had been romantically involved with someone or not.
Being a celebrity of his kind, it doesn’t come as a surprise that the media is interested in Cruise’s love life. Recently, his name was mentioned along that of pop star Shakira, who has recently split from her boyfriend of 11 years, football star Gerard Piqué, with whom she has two sons. Except for Shakira, the media speculated of Cruise’s alleged close relationship with Mission: Impossible co-star Hayley Atwell, but the rumors seem to be just that, rumors.
He, however, is apparently dating someone new. His fans could spot him with the 36-year-old ex-wife of a Russia oligarch.
The Daily Mail claim reports that the Hollywood star was recently sighted at a party in Mayfair, London with 36-year-old Elsina Khayrova, daughter to a Russian MP. Khayrova who was previously married to Dmitry Tsvetkov.
“They were inseparable, clearly a couple,” a guest who attended the party told Daily Mail. “He seemed to be besotted with her.”
Cruise and Khayrova’s appearance at the event sparked excitement at the rest of the attendees.
“Eventually, the DJ had to make and announcement in Russian that Mr Cruise didn’t want any photos.
Khayrova divorced her tycoon husband earlier this year. She’s a former model who holds a British citizenship.
She became known to the public after her name hit the headlines in 2022 when she appeared in court and was being ordered to pay a hefty fee to the tune of £117,000 ($149,500) to a company who had installed fountains in one of her and her ex-spouse’s homes.
We are yet to see if the two are in indeed in a relationship.
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