Before the 19th century in America, indoor toilets were a luxury, reserved primarily for the wealthy. Most people used outhouses or other outdoor facilities for their sanitary needs. While homes often had “bathrooms” for bathing, these rooms typically didn’t include toilets. The widespread installation of indoor plumbing began in the late 19th century, with the advent of the water closet by 1890. These rooms housed the toilet separately from bathing spaces.
It wasn’t until the early 20th century that the modern bathroom, combining both bathing facilities and toilets into one integrated space, became common.
While combining toilets and bathtubs in the same room was a practical solution for saving space and simplifying plumbing, this arrangement did reduce privacy, especially in shared spaces.
Since, the term “water closet” evolved to refer to a small, enclosed room within a larger bathroom, dedicated solely to the toilet. These water closets often include a small sink for handwashing, making them self-contained and convenient.
Attempting to demystify the water closet, online users shared their opinions on Reddit in a post called, “Why is a public WC called bathroom if there is [no] bath?”
Responding to the message, a Redditor writes, “Americans might similarly ask: ‘Why is it called a WC (water closet) if it isn’t even a closet?” the comment continues to explain that a “bathroom” or “restroom” is the “preferred US euphemism for ‘room with toilet,’ whereas other places use ‘WC,’ ‘lavatory,’ ‘loo’ etc.”
“In Russian it’s ‘a room without windows’ even if there actually is a window,” shares a third while another adds, “In Esperanto, it’s necesejo, or ‘necessary place’”
Meanwhile, other Redditors discussed washroom versus bathroom and restroom.
“Canada famously uses Washroom,” says one netizen while another clarifies, “I’m from the midwest, and washroom is fairly common here. Bathroom or restroom are probably used the most though.”
“Best one, I think. You should be washing in there,” adds another. “…not resting.”
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