WC stands for “water closet,” which is a common term for a bathroom, especially a small one in a private residence. A water closet is equipped with a toilet, washbasin, or other facilities, and it is typically found in the hall or adjacent to a bedroom.
WC is an abbreviation that is often seen on signage, along with a symbol of a toilet or bathroom, to let people know the location of the restroom.
Why are toilets called WC?
The term WC is short for “water closet” and is primarily used in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries. While nowadays it is largely associated with the toilet, the original meaning of WC referred to a room with a sink, a bathtub and a closet; kind of like a modern-day bathroom.
The phrase was coined in the 16th century by Thomas Crapper and Co. , a London-based sanitaryware company. The company specialized in the design and production of toilets and WCs, and the term has stuck since then.
The WC terminology became common for toilets since it was often the only enclosed room in the house with a water connection, thus making the association with toilets logical.
What is the difference between toilet and WC?
The terms ‘toilet’ and ‘WC’ are often used interchangeably as they both refer to the same thing – a fixture used for disposing of human waste. However, there is a subtle difference between the two.
WC is an abbreviation for the word ‘water closet’, which is the traditional name for a toilet. It was historically a room or closet with a sink and a toilet, and the toilets were simply known as closets because of their enclosed structure.
As such, WC is sometimes used as a polite or discreet way to refer to a toilet.
Meanwhile, ‘toilet’ is a bit of a catch-all term for any fixture used for disposing of human waste, and includes WCs, portable toilets, outhouses, and more. It is also used to refer to the act of using the toilet.
So while ‘WC’ specifically refers to the fixture itself, ‘toilet’ can more broadly refer to both the fixture and the actions associated with it.
Is WC British or American?
WC (water closet) is a British term for a toilet or bathroom. It is not an American term, although it is understood in the US. In the US, bathrooms are generally referred to as bathrooms, toilets, or powder rooms.
What do British call the bathroom?
In Britain, the room typically referred to as the ‘bathroom’ is more accurately known as a ‘WC’ (Water Closet), or sometimes a ‘lavatory’ or ‘loo’. This is a room which contains a toilet, often with a sink as well, and is used for personal hygiene.
In some places, this may also be known as the ‘powder room’. It’s also very common to hear people simply saying ‘the toilet’. Generally speaking, the terms ‘bathroom’ or ‘bath’ refer to a room containing a bath tub or shower, and this is often separate from the WC.
What are bathrooms called in Canada?
In Canada, bathrooms are commonly referred to as washrooms. This is a fairly universal term in Canada, although it may vary from region to region. In the prairie provinces, for example, bathrooms are often referred to as washrooms, whereas in the Maritime provinces, they may be referred to as “the washroom” or “the can.
” In Quebec, bathrooms are more commonly referred to as “salle de bains. ” Generally speaking, washroom is the most commonly accepted term throughout Canada. Additionally, public bathrooms, such as those in public buildings and parks, are often referred to as washrooms or restrooms.
Where did WC came from?
WC stands for WC, which stands for Water Closet. Water Closets were an invention of the 1800s, by Thomas Crapper. Crapper, who was an English plumber and businessman, designed his Water Closets in an effort to reduce both water consumption and water-borne illnesses in England.
His invention was also incredibly hygienic, making it vastly more popular than existing latrines, cesspools, and night-soil crafts. Crapper’s Water Closets became extremely popular throughout the 19th century, eventually becoming the standard toilet in English bathrooms.
Interestingly enough, Crapper’s name has become so synonymous with toilets that it has become a slang term for them in many areas. While WC may have come from Water Closet, the term is now generally used as an abbreviated form of the full phrase.
Who invented the WC?
The toilet, often referred to as a WC, was invented by the British inventer and plumber Thomas Crapper in 1866. Crapper’s company, Thomas Crapper & Co. Ltd. , had perfected the design of a siphon flushing water closet, which was a great advancement from the traditional chamber pot.
Crapper non only developed the siphon, but also invented the ballcock, an anti- syphonage device which made the toilet more efficient. Crapper is also credited with the development of the valve-regulated flush toilet, an improvement on earlier designs which released too much water per flush.
Crapper was heavily involved in the promotion of the water closet and opened a showroom devoted to them. In 1938, Crapper was awarded the British Empire Medal for his services to the sanitary industry.
What is WC called in us?
WC is an acronym for Water Closet, which is the term for a toilet in most of the United States. The acronym is incredibly common, as it is much easier to refer to a toilet as a WC than it is to say “water closet.
” WC is also used in other English-speaking countries including the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. Additionally, many businesses include WC in their restroom signage to make it clear that it designates the toilet.
Is it toilet or WC?
The terms toilet and WC are both used to refer to devices that provide a space for people to carry out the action of urinating and/or defecating. Traditionally, the term WC, which stands for water closet, was the most commonly used term, though the term toilet has become increasingly popular and is now used interchangeably with WC in many areas.
Some sources differentiate the two terms, suggesting that WC refers to the physical device and toilet refers to the room it is located in.
Is WC same as bathroom?
No, WC (or water closet) and bathroom are not the same thing. WC is a term which is used to refer to a particular type of toilet in a bathroom, while a bathroom refers to the entire room in which WC (or another type of toilet) is typically included.
Other fixtures such as sinks, bathtubs, and showers may also be found in a bathroom. Additionally, while WC is a term commonly used in British English, the term “bathroom” is more common in United States English.
So, while WC is a type of bathroom fixture, it is not the same as a bathroom.
WHO calls bathroom WC?
The term “WC” is an abbreviation for the phrase “water closet,” which is a British term for a room or toilet that contains a toilet and often a sink for hand-washing. The WC is commonly heard throughout the United Kingdom, especially in older buildings, and it is used in many countries throughout the world.
Other similar terms for a room or stall containing a toilet are bathroom, restroom, lavatory, and loo. The abbreviation WC is also commonly used as a restroom symbol to indicate the presence of toilet facilities within a given area, much like a handicap symbol is used to represent the presence of handicap-accessible equipment.
What is another word for WC?
Another term for WC is “Water Closet”. Generally, WC is found in bathrooms, typically in residential and commercial buildings. It is typically a small, enclosed room that houses a toilet, along with a hand washing basin and typically a shelves.
In some areas, the term is also used to refer to a public restroom in a public space, such as a park or shopping center. The origins of this term date back to the 1700s when it was used to describe an enclosed space in a household that contained items required for personal hygiene, such as a wash basin and a privy.
However, today, the term is usually used to refer specifically to a toilet.
Where do people use WC?
People can use WCs (water closets) in a variety of places, such as residential homes, restaurants, public bathrooms, hotels, office buildings, and other locations where people need a convenient and private place to use the restroom.
In residential homes, WCs are commonly found inside bathrooms, or adjacent to bathrooms that are accessible from an adjacent hallway. Restaurants typically have a WC in each of their restrooms, as do public bathrooms in most places.
Hotels, as well as office buildings, often have a single WC located in a larger, shared restroom space. WCs are also commonly seen at hospitals and medical facilities, where privacy is important for various reasons.
What do Americans call WC?
In the United States, WC is often used to refer to a ‘Water Closet,’ which is another name for a bathroom or restroom. This terminology derives from the traditional plumbing system in which the toilet, sink, and tub are connected to a common water system.
Toilet systems that use a flush mechanism were referred to as a ‘water closet’ when they were first created. Although the term ‘water closet’ is not as widely used in the United States, WC is still commonly seen in building plans, instructions and other documents.