Many Are Just Now Discovering The True Meaning Behind The WC Toilet Sign

Many people are just now discovering the meaning behind the ‘WC’ symbol on toilet signs.

In the UK, public restrooms are known by various names: some call them restrooms, others refer to them as the loo, and a few use the term lavatory. Yet, ‘WC’ is a common sign found on these facilities, and its meaning is often unknown.

Thanks to the internet, people can uncover these intriguing little facts. From the intended use of the fourth side of a cheese grater to the origins of the initials in M&Ms, there’s always something new to learn online.

Currently, the focus is on the ‘WC’ sign, which has left many puzzled. One person commented, “I’m glad someone finally asked because I’ve been curious about this for years but never bothered to look it up.” Another person remarked, “I can’t believe I’ve been seeing ‘WC’ and never knew what it stood for.”

Some individuals were surprised to find out that others had been unaware of the meaning for so long. “I’ve known this since I was 13,” said one commenter, while another questioned, “Doesn’t everyone know what ‘WC’ stands for?”

The history behind the ‘WC’ sign is quite interesting. The term has been around since the 1870s in England and is rooted in the history of indoor plumbing. When indoor plumbing became common, people would often repurpose small rooms or closets for toilets because they were among the few places in the house with running water.

These small rooms, which were often just closets with a toilet, came to be known as “water closets.” Over time, ‘WC’ became a shorthand for a room with a toilet, distinguishing it from a bathroom, which originally referred to a room with a bath.

According to Plumb World, “WC stands for ‘water closet,’ a term used in the early 1900s for a toilet, as many were placed in spare closets or cupboards. Today, ‘WC’ is often used to describe a room with a toilet but no bath.”