If you've ever used a public toilet, you've likely seen the letters 'WC' on the door. However, you may not have pondered what they actually represent.
A host of social media users have recently been left utterly gobsmacked upon discovering the true meaning behind 'WC', providing an intriguing glimpse into the history of toilets and sanitation.
In response to a question about the meaning of 'WC', a history enthusiast revealed that the acronym stands for 'water closet', a term coined to avoid embarrassment in the early days of public lavatories.
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On Quora, they eplained: "In the 19th Century, the word toilet was not uttered in polite society, nor were the bodily functions associated with the use of a toilet.
"In order to avoid that, the term 'water closet' was invented to describe the then-new flush lavatory, particularly in public places. The acronym WC was seen as being far enough from its function to be uttered, albeit with some embarrassment and reticence."
In another online discussion about the origin of the term, several people were left absolutely astounded by the revelation.
One user admitted they'd previously thought it stood for "wheelchair".
Another individual posted: "I can't believe I've been living with a WC sign and had no idea why it was called WC."
A third added: "I'm glad someone asked because I've been wondering this for years but never Googled it."
The plumbing experts at Plumbworld reveal that the term 'water closet' first emerged in England during the 1870s.
Initially dubbed the 'wash-down closet', everyday usage saw it morph into water closet, which eventually shortened to the familiar 'WC'.
The Victorian era marked a golden age of innovation for modern sanitation, with groundbreaking developments dramatically enhancing public health standards.
Among the era's most renowned sanitary engineers was Thomas Crapper, who received a prestigious commission from The Royal Household in 1886 to upgrade the facilities at Sandringham House with state-of-the-art models.
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