Many people are surprised to learn what the letters “WC” on restroom signs actually mean. In the U.S.,
terms like restroom, bathroom, or lavatory are more common, but WC still appears worldwide and often confuses travelers.
A recent social media post highlighted the mystery, with users admitting they had seen the sign for years without knowing its meaning.
WC stands for “Water Closet.” The term originated in the early 1900s, when indoor toilets were first introduced into homes.
At the time, many houses already had separate bathing rooms, so toilets were often installed in small
closets with running water. These spaces quickly became known as water closets.
Even today, WC is commonly used in Europe and Asia to describe a small room with just a toilet. Unlike the modern term “bathroom,”
which suggests the presence of a tub or shower, WC specifically refers to a toilet-only space.
As explained by Plumb World, “WC is used instead of bathroom to describe a space that has a toilet but no bath.”
So the next time you spot a WC sign, you’ll know it’s not just a random abbreviation but a reminder of how indoor plumbing began.
