It turns out the “WC” on bathroom doors actually stands for “water closet.” This term originated back when the bathroom was for bathing, the restroom was a space to rest or prepare, and the water closet was specifically for using the toilet. Many people on social media are shocked by this realization, with comments like, “What do you mean WC stands for water closet?” and “I was today years old when I learned that!”
People have various names for these spaces—bathroom, restroom, loo, or bog—depending on their function and location. For instance, one person mentioned, “I call mine a bathroom, but public ones are restrooms.”
The topic of public toilets sparked another viral post, where comedian Freddy Quinne shared the unspoken “urinal rule” that every guy supposedly knows. If there are five empty urinals, a man should use either the first (far left) or the last (far right). If both are taken, the middle one is next. This rule ensures space between users, as it’s generally uncomfortable to stand directly next to someone if there’s room to spread out. Urinals two and four are only used when the others are occupied. Freddy says, “No one’s ever discussed this with us, but we all just know.”
Ultimately, the names we use and the unwritten rules we follow reveal just how particular bathroom etiquette can be—often more nuanced than we might expect.
