Why Do We See “WC” and Toilet Icons Everywhere?

What Does “WC” Actually Mean?

If you’ve ever wandered through an airport, train station, or restaurant in another country, you’ve likely come across the letters WC. Most people recognize it as a bathroom symbol, but few know where it comes from.

WC stands for Water Closet—a term from 19th-century England referring to a small room with a flush toilet. While modern English speakers no longer use the phrase Water Closet in conversation, the abbreviation has lived on and is still used around the world, particularly across Europe and parts of Asia.

Bathroom Terms Around the World

Depending on the country, the word for “bathroom” can vary quite a bit:

Restroom / Bathroom → Common in the United States
Washroom → Widely used in Canada
Toilet / Loo → Standard in the United Kingdom
CR (Comfort Room) → Frequently used in the Philippines

These differences often confuse travelers, which is why international locations rely so heavily on recognizable signage.

The Importance of Icons

Aside from text, most restroom signs use simple stick-figure symbols:

A figure in trousers → men
A figure in a skirt → women