As we go about our daily lives, we often come across the signage ‘WC’ when looking for a restroom. But have you ever wondered what it actually stands for? It might surprise you to learn that ‘WC’ is an abbreviation for ‘water closet’. Intriguing, isn’t it? Let’s dive deeper into the history behind this terminology.
In the olden days, the purpose of using a bathroom was to take a bath, while a restroom was used for resting or getting ready for the day by using the sink and mirror. However, if you needed to relieve yourself, you would visit the water closet to use the toilet.
Nowadays, most of us refer to the loo as the ‘bathroom’ or the ‘restroom’, but the ‘WC’ inscription on bathroom doors serves as a reminder of its original name. It’s no wonder that many people are baffled when they discover the true meaning behind ‘WC’. Social media users have shared their astonishment, with one person commenting, “What do you mean wc stands for water closet…” Another person said, “I was 23 years old when I learned that WC is called water closet.” It’s never too late to learn something new!
Everyone has their own way of referring to the bathroom. One person revealed, “I call mine a bathroom,” while someone else said, “I call the ones in public restrooms.” Another person acknowledged knowing what a water closet is but prefers to use the term ‘WC’ instead. The variations in language and preferences are what make our world interesting and diverse.
Switching gears to bathroom etiquette, stand-up comedian Freddy Quinne recently went viral on TikTok for sharing an unwritten rule that apparently every guy knows when it comes to using a public urinal. According to Freddie, if there are five empty urinals in a row, the general consensus is to use either the first one on the left or the last one on the right.
He explains, “Now, if number one or number five are both being used, then you use the one in the middle, urinal number three. The reason for that is way you leave a space in between the other two people having a pss because it’s weird if you just go up and pss next to someone when you’ve got the option not to. The only time you would ever use urinals two and four is when one, three, and five are occupied. There’s no other reason for using them… ever.”
As a fellow lad, I can assure you that Freddie’s urinal rule resonates with many of us. Who knew there were unspoken guidelines for using something as mundane as a public urinal!
In conclusion, whether you call it a loo, toilet, bathroom, restroom, or even a water closet, these spaces serve a crucial purpose. They provide a temporary refuge from the outside world, allowing us to attend to our personal needs and maybe even scroll through our phones for a few minutes. So the next time you come across a ‘WC’ sign, remember its historical significance and appreciate the journey it symbolizes.
