WC

"WC" is a quick way to refer to a room with a toilet where people can "relieve" themselves. Some people use it interchangeably with restroom or bathroom, while others, especially Europeans, use it to refer to rooms only with toilets (not bathtubs, shower stalls, etc.).

You may see WC in various contexts, including on the door of a water closet (or a sign pointing to one), when messaging, or when gaming. For example, you may be at a restaurant, and the door to a water closet bears "WC." Or, you may be gaming, and a partner messages you, "gotta hit the wc. brb."

Origin of WC

The "WC" acronym became popular in the 1990s when online and text messaging became prominent. However, the "water closet" dates back to the 19th century when indoor plumbing became commonplace in wealthy homes. Water closets consisted of a compartment or room with a toilet, separate from a room with a bathtub.

If you've accidentally posted a message in the wrong chat box or channel, you can own up to your mistake by entering WC. This acronym stands for "wrong chat," and it lets other players know they should ignore the message you just sent because it was intended for someone else.

Additionally, some players may use WC to point out that a message you sent should be posted elsewhere. For example, if a game has a dedicated trading chat channel, and you make a WTT post in the game's general chat, other players may use WC as they guide you toward the trading channel.

Of course, if you're playing with players from Great Britain, WC may not mean "wrong chat" at all. In that case, don't be surprised if WC is followed by BRB.

WC is an acronym that stands for "who cares," which is used to express indifference or apathy. It is most often seen in online chat rooms and text messages.

The acronym is typically used in response to someone who proposes or states something that another person does not think matters. Be careful if you use it with a soccer fan because it's also commonly used to refer to the "World Cup."