Seeing a “WC” sign can confuse travelers because different countries use terms like bathroom, restroom, washroom, or toilet. But WC simply stands for “water closet”—an old English term for a small room containing a flush toilet.
The term became popular with the rise of indoor plumbing in the 19th century. While many countries now use different words for public restrooms, WC remains a widely recognized international symbol, especially in Europe, airports, hotels, and restaurants.
What seems like a mysterious abbreviation is actually a small piece of plumbing history that has survived for generations. 🚻