If you’ve ever spotted “WC” on a bathroom door and wondered, it simply means “water closet” — a small room with a toilet, sometimes with a sink. The term dates back to the 19th century, when indoor toilets were rare and kept separate from bathing areas.
Over time, bathrooms, restrooms, washrooms, and lavatories all became catch-all terms for the same thing, though each started with different meanings. “Bathroom” originally meant a place for bathing, “restroom” a place to freshen up, and “washroom” a place to wash hands.
Today, “WC” is common in airports, hotels, and public spaces because it’s short, widely recognized, and crosses language barriers. Whether you call it a loo, restroom, or washroom, the function is the same — and now you know the little bit of history behind those two letters.