The term WC (water closet) is commonly seen in public restrooms worldwide, but its meaning and origin often confuse people. Historically, a water closet referred to a small room with a toilet, separate from bathing areas. While this term is more common in Europe and international settings, Americans and Canadians prefer “bathroom,” “restroom,” or “washroom,” despite these terms not always making perfect sense.

A viral TikTok video humorously highlighted these differences when a man questioned why Canadians say “washroom” when people only wash their hands there. Similarly, the term “restroom” is misleading—no one actually rests there!

The history of indoor plumbing helps explain these names. Before the late 19th century, most homes had separate outhouses, and indoor toilets were a luxury. As indoor plumbing became widespread, “water closets” emerged, eventually evolving into modern bathrooms that combine bathing and toilet facilities.

Online discussions reveal further linguistic variations: in Russia, it’s called the “room without windows,” while in Esperanto, it’s “necesejo,” meaning “necessary place.”

No matter the name, the purpose remains the same. What do you call this room? Do you use different terms based on where you are? Let’s hear your thoughts!