How the ‘WC’ Sign Reflects Cultural Differences Around the World

Have you ever seen the letters “WC” outside a public bathroom and wondered what they mean? You’re not alone! Many people around the world are curious about the “WC,” which refers to a room with a toilet and a sink.

While we can explain what “WC” stands for, it might not make much more sense than other terms like restroom, bathroom, or loo.

In 2020, a couple named Shelby and Dylan made a TikTok video showing a funny difference between how some Americans and Canadians refer to bathrooms. In the video, Dylan walks by a sign that says “washroom” and asks, “What in the world is a washroom?” He humorously wonders what people are washing in there, adding, “The only thing I wash in there is my hands.” Off-camera, Shelby chimes in, asking, “Do you rest in a restroom?”

It’s interesting to see how different cultures use different terms for the same place!

“That’s a good point. None of these terms make much sense,” Dylan says in the video.

Many people joined the conversation online, sharing their thoughts about what they call this important room.

One user commented, “It’s called a bathroom, restroom, washroom, and toilet.”

Another follower shared a funny story from Disneyland, saying they “asked for the washroom” and ended up being sent to the laundromat instead!

A third user joked, “Wait until he finds out about water closets.”

**Water Closet**
According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, a “water closet” is a term used to describe “a room with a toilet” or “a toilet bowl and its accessories.”

Long ago, when people talked about using the bathroom, it often meant taking a bath. The term “restroom” suggested a place to rest or get ready by using the sink and mirror.

Lastly, if you needed to go potty, you would use the toilet in the water closet. Depending on where you are in the world, this room is called many different names, including loo, restroom, bathroom, washroom, lavatory, or WC.

Credit: Shutterstock

In modern times, you will often see signs that say “WC” in public places like airports, restaurants, or hotels. This is just another way to say “restroom” or “bathroom,” but it is usually seen as a more formal or international sign for places that welcome travelers from different countries.

**History of the WC**
Before the 19th century in America, having an indoor toilet was a luxury only for wealthy people. Most people used outhouses or outdoor toilets. While many homes had “bathrooms” for taking baths, these rooms usually didn’t have toilets. The installation of indoor plumbing started to become common in the late 1800s, leading to the creation of the water closet by 1890. These early water closets had toilets that were separate from bathing areas.

It wasn’t until the early 20th century that bathrooms began to combine both bathing areas and toilets into one room. This design helped save space and made plumbing simpler, but it also reduced privacy, especially when multiple people were using the bathroom.

Over time, the term “water closet” changed to refer to a small, private room within a larger bathroom that was used only for the toilet. These water closets often have a small sink for handwashing, making them convenient and self-contained.

Credit: Shutterstock

To understand the term “water closet,” many people shared their thoughts on Reddit in a post titled, “Why is a public WC called bathroom if there is [no] bath?”

In response, one Reddit user pointed out, “Americans might ask: ‘Why is it called a WC (water closet) if it isn’t even a closet?” This user explained that in the U.S., “bathroom” or “restroom” is the common way to refer to a “room with a toilet.” Other countries use different terms, like “WC,” “lavatory,” or “loo.”

Another user mentioned that in Russian, the term translates to “a room without windows,” even if there is a window. A third user shared that in Esperanto, it’s called “necesejo,” meaning “necessary place.”

Other Reddit users talked about the differences between “washroom,” “bathroom,” and “restroom.” One commenter noted, “Canada famously uses ‘washroom,’” while another clarified that in the Midwest, “washroom” is also common, but “bathroom” and “restroom” are used more frequently.

One user humorously stated, “Best one, I think. You should be washing in there… not resting.”

What do you think about the term WC? What do you call the room that has a toilet? We would love to hear your opinions, so please share your thoughts!

Camila Cabello Reveals the Unexpected Inspiration Behind Her Ice Block Purse, and People Can’t Help but Notice One Detail

Camila Cabello caught everyone’s attention at the Met Gala with her unique ice clutch. The event took place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 6, where the 2024 Met Gala showcased some unforgettable looks. Her choice of accessory was especially unusual and came with a unique story.

Camila Cabello explained her unique accessory choice to Extra, saying, “I feel like it is impermanence and things decaying over time and the beauty in that.”

True to its theme, the ice clutch didn’t last the night. The former Fifth Harmony star revealed that the purse had transformed during the event. “It was a purse,” she said, “but then it broke about 5 minutes into being in line, so I called my stylist like, ‘What do I do?’”

With some quick thinking, Cabello decided to hold the remaining piece like a clutch and remarked, “We’re just trying things here.”

The clutch wasn’t just a block of ice. Designed by Jane Wade, it also featured a copper rose, echoing the single flower on the gala’s invitations, tying into the overall theme beautifully.

Cabello’s outfit included more nods to the theme of “beauty in decay.” Her stunning gown, designed by Ludovic de Saint Sernin, weighed 15 pounds and was adorned with 250,000 Swarovski crystals. The dress had intentional rips at the bottom, linking back to her theme of impermanence. To complete her look, she wore iridescent makeup and styled her hair in a “wet” ponytail.

The “Señorita”singer had the gala’s “Garden of Time” theme in mind when assembling her outfit, but she was also inspired by something else — her upcoming album, C,XOXO, set to release on June 28.

“It’s Miami-themed,” she shared with Variety, “so we’re dripping, we’re wet.” This statement not only ties back to her album’s theme, but also cleverly connects with her look and the gala’s overall ambiance.

Fans were quick to react to Camila Cabello’s unique ice purse, noticing that it was actually made from real ice as droplets visibly fell from it. Many initially mistook it for glass until they saw the melting. Concerned comments also emerged, with fans asking about the comfort of her hand, wondering, “Is your hand doing okay?” and even humorously questioning, “How did your hand not fall off?” One fan expressed admiration, exclaiming, “You are incredible! How could you even hold the ice for such a long time?”

The 2024 Met Gala featured the theme “The Garden of Time,” inspired by J.G. Ballard’s 1962 story. Celebrities wore outfits that highlighted the brief and changing nature of beauty and time. Check out more outfits here.

Preview photo credit ANGELA WEISS/AFP/East News, ANGELA WEISS/AFP/East News

Related Posts

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*