1. What Does “WC” Mean?
If you have ever walked through an airport or restaurant abroad, you’ve probably seen the letters WC. While most people spot it as the bathroom sign, many don’t know the origin.
WC stands for Water Closet, a term from 19th-century England describing a small room with a flushing toilet. Even though people no longer say Water Closet in everyday English, the abbreviation survived and is still applied worldwide, especially in Europe and Asia.
2. Different Words Around the World
The term for “bathroom” changes relying on where you are:
- Restroom / Bathroom → Popular in the United States.
- Washroom → Preferred in Canada.
- Toilet / Loo → Standard in the UK.
- CR (Comfort Room) → Widely used in the Philippines.
These differences can be confusing for travelers, which is why international signs are so essential.
