If you’ve traveled through Europe or stayed in older hotels, you’ve probably seen the letters “WC” on a bathroom door. They simply stand for “Water Closet.” The term dates back to the 19th century, when indoor plumbing was becoming more common and homes began installing toilets that used water to flush waste away.
At the time, a “closet” didn’t necessarily mean the storage space we think of today. It could describe a small private room. So when flushing toilets were installed in compact rooms, people began calling them water closets. The name helped distinguish the new indoor toilet from older outdoor privies and chamber pots.
...
