Many people are familiar with the terms “bathroom” or “restroom,” but fewer know the meaning behind the letters **WC.** The abbreviation actually stands for **“water closet,”** a term dating back to when indoor plumbing first became common.
At the time, rooms served different purposes: bathrooms were for bathing, restrooms were for freshening up or relaxing, and the water closet was specifically for the toilet. Today, the term survives mostly in Europe and on signs, though many English speakers are surprised when they discover its origin. Social media often revisits this little fact, with users sharing their late realizations. One wrote, *“I was 23 when I learned WC stands for water closet,”* while another joked, *“At least you’re not 27.”*
On the topic of bathroom etiquette, comedian **Freddy Quinne** recently went viral for explaining what he called the unspoken **“urinal rule.”** According to him, every man instinctively knows how to navigate a row of urinals without making things awkward. If there are five, the rule is simple: choose the first or the last one to maximize space. If those are already taken, the next best choice is the middle. Urinals two and four should only be used if no other options remain. This silent code ensures privacy, comfort, and avoids uncomfortable proximity.
Quinne’s humorous take struck a chord with many online, as countless men admitted they follow the exact same unspoken guideline. Between the history of the water closet and the secret world of urinal etiquette, it seems even the most ordinary bathroom habits have fascinating layers behind them.
