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WC: meaning and synonyms

Reading Time: 4 minutes | Article from 11.11.2024
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Many people don't know the answer to this question: what does WC actually stand for? We explain!

Contents

  • The evolution of the modern toilet
  • Toilet or WC? Synonyms at a glance
  • Villeroy & Boch: sanitary ceramic pioneers

At a glance

  • We explain: who invented the toilet?

  • How does a toilet cistern work?

  • What does WC stand for and what are the synonyms?

The history of the toilet

Many people are not familiar with the precise history of the toilet. Who invented the modern toilet and when? The inventor of the toilet was Sir John Harrington from England. He developed the ‘water closet’ back in the 16th century and installed it for Queen Elizabeth I at her palace in Richmond.

A toilet, or water closet, is a toilet that uses water to flush bodily waste from the bowl. The flow of water through the toilet pushes the contents into the drain. Incidentally, the word ‘toilet’ comes from the French word ‘toilette’, which originally referred to a room for dressing and applying make-up.

Toilet synonyms and their meaning

  • WC: ‘WC’ stands for ‘water closet’.
  • Loo: short for lavatory.
  • Smallest room: a small space.
  • Latrine: public toilet room in ancient Rome.
  • Privy: private place
  • 00: used in hotels to refer to the toilet, as this was a number not used for guest rooms.

Quality since 1748: our history

The foundations for the successful company Villeroy & Boch were laid more than 275 years ago. With the introduction of running water in the 19th century, the company revolutionised the world of sanitary facilities. The first milestones included the introduction of hygiene standards and mass production of sanitary facilities. Villeroy & Boch set standards in the separation of fresh and waste water and was a pioneer in the design of toilets with drainage systems. If you’re wondering how a toilet drainage mechanism works, you can find the answer at Villeroy & Boch.

Toilet trends: from functionality to a well-being haven

In 1975, the designer Luigi Colani fundamentally changed the way we look at the bathroom. He developed an innovative product concept for Villeroy & Boch that focused less on functionality and more on design and atmosphere. This transformed the functional wet room into a place of relaxation, well-being and tranquillity. The collaboration between Villeroy & Boch and Luigi Colani elevated the status of the bathroom to that of the living room or bedroom.

Villeroy & Boch toilets

Choosing perfect products

A white Antao toilet by Villeroy & Boch in an elegant beige bathroom with a potted plant.

Stylish toilets from Villeroy & Boch

As well as being functional, a toilet needs to be stylish too. Villeroy & Boch offers numerous collections combining state-of-the-art technology with aesthetic design. 

Modern toilets with style – View now
A modern bathroom with a ViClean shower toilet including remote control by Villeroy & Boch.

Innovation: ViClean shower toilets

How does a toilet with a built-in bidet function work? The innovative ViClean shower toilet combines the functions of a classic toilet with the cleaning features of a bidet without taking up too much space in the bathroom.

Hygiene and comfort with the ViClean shower toilet

Top product categories

  • Gourmet plates
  • Table cutlery
  • Decanter
  • Wall-mounted washbasins
  • Rimless toilets

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