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.
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.
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!
Lizzo’s dramatic weight loss, explained
Lizzo has earned her place as one of the best pop stars of our time. She made history by becoming the first African American woman to win the Grammy for Record of the Year since Whitney Houston. She also holds the record for the longest-running solo song by a female rapper with her hit song “Truth Hurts,” which topped the charts in 2016.
Even with all her achievements, Lizzo’s appearance has frequently been a big topic of discussion. She has received both praise and criticism for promoting body positivity. Recently, her weight loss has sparked more controversy. Here’s what you should know about Lizzo’s weight loss and how she has responded to her critics.
Is Lizzo taking Ozempic?
Lizzo has been sharing her weight loss journey on Instagram. However, some people have accused her of using the weight loss medication Ozempic to help her lose weight quickly.
On September 22, Lizzo used Instagram to respond to rumors about her using Ozempic. She shared a screenshot of a comment that suggested she was relying on outside help to lose weight, asking, “Did she use Ozempic or did she snort coke?” In reply, Lizzo wrote, “Whyyyy do u follow me?”
She denied taking Ozempic and told her fans that her weight loss comes from a dedicated workout routine. In a sarcastic tone, she posted a video saying, “When you finally get Ozempic allegations after 5 months of weight training and calorie deficit.”
Did Lizzo get weight loss surgery?
Weight loss surgery has also been a topic of conversation regarding Lizzo’s transformation. Many fans are surprised by the big changes in her appearance over the past five months and wonder if she might have had surgery to achieve these results.
Lizzo has denied using surgery or other drastic measures to lose weight, saying she loves her body no matter what size she is. She shared a video on Instagram showing her weight loss journey, with the caption: “Fine both ways.”
Even though some have accused her of body shaming her backup dancers and others privately, Lizzo has kept a positive attitude. She may have lost weight, but she still supports body positivity.
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