If you’ve ever spotted a “WC” sign outside a public toilet and found yourself scratching your head, you’re definitely not alone. All over the world, people have puzzled over this little abbreviation — a simple label for a room with a toilet and a sink.

And while we can explain it, fair warning: once you know the full story, “WC” might seem just as odd as “restroom,” “bathroom,” or “loo.”

The Great Bathroom Name Debate

In 2020, a TikTok video featuring a couple, Shelby and Dylan, went viral, perfectly capturing the confusion around bathroom terminology.

Passing a “Washroom” sign, Dylan joked:

“What even is a washroom? And what are they washing in there? Oh, it’s a restroom. The only thing I wash is my hands!”

Off-camera, Shelby chimed in:

“Do you rest in a restroom?”

Dylan laughed in agreement.

Naturally, the internet had a blast. Commenters jumped into the debate, championing their favorite words: “bathroom,” “restroom,” “washroom,” and even simply “toilet.”

One user shared a hilarious memory of asking for the “washroom” at Disneyland — and being directed to a laundromat! Another added: “Just wait until he hears about the water closet.”

So, What Exactly Is a Water Closet?

According to Merriam-Webster, a “water closet” is a small room or compartment containing a toilet.

Back in the day, “bathrooms” were spaces solely for bathing. “Restrooms” were designed for freshening up. But when it came to actually using a toilet, people needed a separate, much smaller room: the water closet.

Today, the abbreviation “WC” still pops up in places like airports, hotels, and restaurants — especially those catering to international travelers. It’s simply another, slightly old-fashioned way of saying “bathroom.”

A Brief History Lesson

Before the late 19th century, indoor plumbing was rare and mostly reserved for the wealthy. The majority of Americans relied on outhouses or outdoor facilities. Even if a house had a “bathroom,” it was typically just for bathing — no toilet included.

The “water closet” arrived in the 1890s: a small, separate room inside the home, housing an indoor toilet. By the early 20th century, the modern all-in-one bathroom (toilet, sink, and bathtub combined) became the norm — but the term “WC” stuck around in many regions.

What People Are Saying Today

On Reddit, debates about bathroom naming conventions are still going strong. In a post titled, “Why is a public WC called a bathroom if there’s no bath?” users from around the world shared their insights:

“Americans could just as easily ask: why call it a WC if it’s not even a closet?”

“In Russian, it’s called ‘a room without windows’ — even if it has windows!”

“In Esperanto, it’s ‘necesejo,’ which literally means ‘necessary place.’”

Others pointed out that “washroom” is especially popular in Canada and parts of the U.S. Midwest.

One comment perhaps summed it up best:

“‘Washroom’ makes the most sense — you should be washing in there, not resting!”

What About You?

What do you call it — bathroom, washroom, restroom, WC, or something else entirely? Share your thoughts — and don’t forget to pass this story along to friends and family to find out what they call it too!