Washrooms around the world go by different names, and in some countries, they have more than one. In the United Kingdom, public toilets are commonly called a restroom or a loo.
However, many public toilets in the UK display a WC sign, leaving some visitors puzzled. A TikTok user recently explained what WC stands for in response to a follower’s question, and the clip quickly gained over 3,500 views.
The TikToker explained that before indoor plumbing, bathrooms were separate rooms for bathing. Water had to be carried and heated manually, so the toilet didn’t have a dedicated space. When indoor plumbing became common, the easiest place to put a toilet was in a small closet, hence the term “water closet.”
The term WC has been in use since the 1870s, but many people had never learned its meaning. The TikTok revelation sparked surprise and discussion online.
One viewer wrote, “I’ve been wondering about this for years but never googled it.” Another commented, “I was 23 y/o when I learned that WC is called water closet.” Others shared that while they knew the term, they rarely used it in conversation.
Some users were amazed that the abbreviation was unfamiliar to others worldwide. “I’ve known this since I was 13,” one person wrote, while another joked about the “common sense levels in the UK.”
The discussion highlighted how language and history influence everyday signs we often take for granted. While WC might seem old-fashioned to some, it remains a standard label in many public places.
So next time you see a WC sign, you’ll know it’s a nod to history — the water closet, a compact space created for convenience in early indoor plumbing. Did you already know this, or were you as surprised as many TikTok viewers?