If you've ever needed to use the loo while out and about, chances are you've seen a sign referring to the toilet as a "WC", but you may not have considered what the letters stand for.
A number of social media users have been left amazed to learn the true meaning behind WC, which gives an insight into the history of toilets. The answer was provided online by a history buff who gave an detailed explanation, the Mirror reports.
Taking to Quora, they explained: "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.
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"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 social media post discussing the term's origins, a number of people were left positively amazed to discover the real meaning, with one follower admitting they'd assumed it had stood for "wheelchair".
Another person wrote: "I can't believe I've been living with a WC sign and had no idea why it was called WC", while a third commented: "I'm glad someone asked because I've been wondering this for years but never Googled it."
According to the plumbing website Plumbworld, the phrase water closet was first used in England back in the 1870s. Originally known as "wash-down closet", this soon became water closet through popular usage, before evolving once again into WC.
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