How the ‘WC’ Sign Reflects Cultural Differences Around the World

Have you ever seen the letters “WC” outside a public bathroom and wondered what they mean? You’re not alone! Many people around the world are curious about the “WC,” which refers to a room with a toilet and a sink.

While we can explain what “WC” stands for, it might not make much more sense than other terms like restroom, bathroom, or loo.

In 2020, a couple named Shelby and Dylan made a TikTok video showing a funny difference between how some Americans and Canadians refer to bathrooms. In the video, Dylan walks by a sign that says “washroom” and asks, “What in the world is a washroom?” He humorously wonders what people are washing in there, adding, “The only thing I wash in there is my hands.” Off-camera, Shelby chimes in, asking, “Do you rest in a restroom?”

It’s interesting to see how different cultures use different terms for the same place!

“That’s a good point. None of these terms make much sense,” Dylan says in the video.

Many people joined the conversation online, sharing their thoughts about what they call this important room.

One user commented, “It’s called a bathroom, restroom, washroom, and toilet.”

Another follower shared a funny story from Disneyland, saying they “asked for the washroom” and ended up being sent to the laundromat instead!

A third user joked, “Wait until he finds out about water closets.”

**Water Closet**
According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, a “water closet” is a term used to describe “a room with a toilet” or “a toilet bowl and its accessories.”

Long ago, when people talked about using the bathroom, it often meant taking a bath. The term “restroom” suggested a place to rest or get ready by using the sink and mirror.

Lastly, if you needed to go potty, you would use the toilet in the water closet. Depending on where you are in the world, this room is called many different names, including loo, restroom, bathroom, washroom, lavatory, or WC.

Credit: Shutterstock

In modern times, you will often see signs that say “WC” in public places like airports, restaurants, or hotels. This is just another way to say “restroom” or “bathroom,” but it is usually seen as a more formal or international sign for places that welcome travelers from different countries.

**History of the WC**
Before the 19th century in America, having an indoor toilet was a luxury only for wealthy people. Most people used outhouses or outdoor toilets. While many homes had “bathrooms” for taking baths, these rooms usually didn’t have toilets. The installation of indoor plumbing started to become common in the late 1800s, leading to the creation of the water closet by 1890. These early water closets had toilets that were separate from bathing areas.

It wasn’t until the early 20th century that bathrooms began to combine both bathing areas and toilets into one room. This design helped save space and made plumbing simpler, but it also reduced privacy, especially when multiple people were using the bathroom.

Over time, the term “water closet” changed to refer to a small, private room within a larger bathroom that was used only for the toilet. These water closets often have a small sink for handwashing, making them convenient and self-contained.

Credit: Shutterstock

To understand the term “water closet,” many people shared their thoughts on Reddit in a post titled, “Why is a public WC called bathroom if there is [no] bath?”

In response, one Reddit user pointed out, “Americans might ask: ‘Why is it called a WC (water closet) if it isn’t even a closet?” This user explained that in the U.S., “bathroom” or “restroom” is the common way to refer to a “room with a toilet.” Other countries use different terms, like “WC,” “lavatory,” or “loo.”

Another user mentioned that in Russian, the term translates to “a room without windows,” even if there is a window. A third user shared that in Esperanto, it’s called “necesejo,” meaning “necessary place.”

Other Reddit users talked about the differences between “washroom,” “bathroom,” and “restroom.” One commenter noted, “Canada famously uses ‘washroom,’” while another clarified that in the Midwest, “washroom” is also common, but “bathroom” and “restroom” are used more frequently.

One user humorously stated, “Best one, I think. You should be washing in there… not resting.”

What do you think about the term WC? What do you call the room that has a toilet? We would love to hear your opinions, so please share your thoughts!

A family gifted with rare black & white twins receive the same blessing 7 years later

The Durrant family, a six-person unit that is not only attractive but has overcome some incredible odds, is something to behold when seen as a whole.

In 2001, Alison Spooner and Dean Durrant had their first set of twins, who immediately captured everyone’s attention.

The unpredictability of life on this planet is arguably its most amazing feature.

The unexpected can certainly be distressing or even painful at times, but there are also many situations when we’re pleasantly delighted by something we didn’t anticipate to happen.

Dean Durrant and Alison Spooner appear to be a typical couple from the outside, yet it turns out that their genes are very unique. This is demonstrated by the miracle that resulted in not only one pair of identical twins, but two…

Hayleigh and Lauren Durrant, who are black and white twins, proudly cradle their baby sisters Leah and Miya, who, amazingly, are also…Posted on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 by Talking Babies

Hayleigh and Lauren Durrant, twin sisters from Hampshire in England, were born in 2001 with various skin tones. The white twin resembled their mother, while the black twin resembled their father.

When Alison and Dean initially learned they were expecting twins, they thought the children would be like them both. However, Alison’s parents received a surprise after Laura and Hayleigh were born in 2001.

While Laura’s twin sister had largely taken after her father, Laura had inherited her mother’s fair skin, blue eyes, and red hair.

Naturally, Alison and Dean’s relatives and friends were shocked. The phenomenon is extremely unusual, yet it does occasionally occur.

Growing up wasn’t always easy as their parents had to field questions about how this could have happened and comments of disbelief, and then the girls would face questions from their friends at school.

On the twins’ 18th birthday in 2019, Hayleigh, who has dark skin and hair like her dad Dean, stated they weren’t always accepted.

“Some people can be really rude. They’ll say, ‘You’re lying, you aren’t twins – prove it!’ So we’ll reel off the same address or pull our passports out. It’s nice to see the shock on people’s faces.

“When we went to college it was difficult because there were lots of groups of Asian, white and black kids. The black group were trying to integrate me and I was like, ‘This is my white twin sister.’ No one could believe it. People look at us like it’s some kind of miracle. I’m still amazed that we are twins.”

Meanwhile, Lauren, who has her mother’s green eyes and fair hair, said, “People just assume we’re best friends rather than sisters, let alone twins.

“I’m happy with that because she is my best friend.”

There is a 1 in 500 chance that twins born to multiracial parents will have distinct skin tones.

After only seven years, Alison discovered she was expecting twins once more! When Laura and Hayleigh aged 7, their mother gave birth to another set of identical twin sisters, and the family once more made headlines.

This time, when the babies were discovered to be in the breech position, Alison was induced at 37 weeks. Due to breathing issues, the newborns had to be sent to intensive care right away, depriving Alison and Dean of the opportunity to spend quality time with them.

But when parents could finally see their newborns, they understood that they had overcome yet another obstacle. Another set of miraculous biracial twins was born!

In addition to having distinct skin tones, the daughters, Leah and Miya, made their family the only one in the world to have two sets of multiracial twins.The family of records quickly made it to the Guinness World Records.

Even non-identical twins are uncommon, Dr. Sarah Jarvis of the Royal College of General Practitioners told CBS News.

“To have two eggs fertilized and come out different colors less common so to have it happen twice must be one in millions,” she added.

“I’m almost blown away as the rest of them, there’s no easy way to explain it all,” proud dad Dean told CBS News. “I’m still in shock myself even though the first ones were 7 years ago, it’s amazing.”

Their two older sisters, who have been able to help them navigate the difficulties, assist Leah and Miya.

“The younger ones idolise the older ones and are always copying them. It’s like having two Mini-Mes,” said their father.

“They are best friends and close in every way, apart from looking different. It took me some years to understand the science of how they could appear so different,” their mom added.

Leah shared: “Lauren and Hayleigh are my heroes. I like my older sisters. We want to be like them when we are grown-up.”

Despite their physical disparities, the girls remarked that they are similar in many respects and that they are fortunate to have each other.

Hayleigh explained: “We say the same things at the same time and finish each other’s sentences. Sometimes I know exactly what she is thinking.”

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