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!

Jennifer Love Hewitt Claps Back at Trolls Who Called Her ‘Unrecognizable’ in Stunning New Selfie

Jennifer Love Hewitt didn’t hold back when she responded to trolls who accused her of being “fake” in a recent selfie she shared on social media.

The *Ghost Whisperer* star appeared in an Instagram post uploaded by her hairstylist, Nikki Lee. Some people online quickly criticized the actress for looking different.

This came after Jennifer cut her hair into a bob and dyed it a rich, dark brown. Her stylist captioned the post: “Was time to spice things up.”

As often happens when celebrities change their look, fans had a lot to say. While many comments were positive, some tried to insult Love Hewitt, suggesting she had cosmetic work done.

The 44-year-old actress, known for her role in *I Know What You Did Last Summer* (1997), was even called “unrecognizable” by some people.

Getty Images

Usually, celebrities ignore their critics, but Jennifer Love Hewitt chose to respond to her haters by posting a series of photos that jokingly suggested she had changed her look through surgery.

“So many people said I look different,” the actress wrote.

“I look the same as always. I couldn’t look more natural. I woke up like this. Filters don’t change you that much.”

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The playful pictures Jennifer posted used several filters on her face. While they were exaggerated, she also urged people to be kind when commenting on others’ photos.

She ended her post with: “Let people be filtered or unfiltered. Be good. Be kind. Spread love.”

Earlier this year, people also criticized her appearance when she shared a picture for her 44th birthday.

“Woke up at 4am and was 44! I am deeply grateful, blessed, happy, and sometimes insecure about aging. I’m a mom of three amazing kids, married to the most handsome and awesome man, and really excited to see what this year holds for us,” her post read.

“I feel magic in the air, and I love magic. Off to work… thank you, Mom, for giving me life. I miss you so much. I’ll get my job done and celebrate my birthday later. P.S. Atticus woke up way too early and sang me happy birthday! My heart melted. Now go have a great day, everyone. It’s my birthday, so you have to do it! ”Many fans commented, surprised by how different the former child star looked.

“I saw this picture in an article and thought they made a mistake because I didn’t believe it was JLH. I didn’t even see a resemblance. I came to Instagram to double-check and I’m shocked,” one person wrote.

“Why doesn’t she look like herself? I’m so confused,” another added.

“That’s not her,” a third claimed. “It can’t be.”

What do you think of Jennifer Love Hewitt’s recent post? Do you think she’s changed much? If you found this story interesting, check out the woman who hit back at trolls who said she was “too ugly” for selfies!

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