21 Words That Have A Totally Different Meaning When You're A Lifeguard

    "NO RUNNING ON THE POOL DECK!"

    Sam Stryker
    by Sam Stryker

    BuzzFeed Staff

    1. Whistle

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    What other people think it means: A small device you blow into to make a sharp, high-pitched noise.

    What lifeguards know it means: That thing you twirl around when you're sitting in the guard chair, and drop in the pool WAY too often.

    2. Running

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    What other people think it means: The fastest way people can move on their own.

    What lifeguards know it means: What you're constantly yelling at kids for doing on the pool deck.

    3. Pool

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    What other people think it means: A man-made body of water used for recreation and leisure.

    What lifeguards know it means: Basically, your office and the place you spend way, way too much time.

    4. Thunder

    Creative Commons / Via Flickr: thisisbossi

    What other people think it means: A weather phenomenon.

    What lifeguards know it means: The best possible noise you can possibly hear when you're lifeguarding because it means you get at least half an hour of FREEDOM — and you've developed superhuman senses to detect.

    5. Chair

    Creative Commons / Via Flickr: jms2

    What other people think it means: A device used to sit upon.

    What lifeguards know it means: The device that BETTER have an umbrella up when you're sitting in it for your shift. Unless you're working on your tan, of course.

    6. Snack Bar

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    What other people think it means: The place where you get food and drinks at the pool.

    What lifeguards know it means: The place you practically treat like a five-star restaurant even though it probably serves stale chicken nuggets, because you get HUNGRY while guarding.

    7. Parents

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    What other people think it means: A human being who has a child.

    What lifeguards know it means: The bane of your existence, and dealing with them is most likely the hardest part of your job.

    8. Tan

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    What other people think it means: What happens to your skin when you spend too much time in the sun.

    What lifeguards know it means: What happens to your skin when you spend too much time in the sun and you get those weird lines all over your body.

    9. Kids

    Disney / Pixar / Via disneypixar.tumblr.com

    What other people think it means: Young human beings.

    What lifeguards know it means: The people who you're always yelling at to stop running on the pool deck.

    10. Chlorine

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    What other people think it means: An element with the atomic number of 17.

    What lifeguards know it means: What you smell like before work, during work, and after work.

    11. Poop

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    What other people think it means: Excrement.

    What lifeguards know it means: Another excuse to close the pool early.

    12. Sunglasses

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    What other people think it means: An accessory you wear on your face over your eyes.

    What lifeguards know it means: If you forget these at home, you're screwed.

    13. Chemicals

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    What other people think it means: A distinct substance with unique properties.

    What lifeguards know it means: The thing you forget to check at several points throughout the day.

    14. Bathroom

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    What other people think it means: A room where you can find toilets, sinks, and sometimes showers.

    What lifeguards know it means: The one place you dread being told you need to go clean.

    15. Baby Pool

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    What other people think it means: A smaller man-made body of water for young children to play in.

    What lifeguards know it means: Easily the grossest area of the pool.

    16. Closing

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    What other people think it means: When you shut something down for the day.

    What lifeguards know it means: You're supposed to close at 8, but why are there still kids in the pool at 8:15?

    17. Swimsuit

    amazon.com
    amazon.com

    What other people think it means: An article of clothing you wear when you go in the pool, ocean, lake, etc.

    What lifeguards know it means: The best uniform you possibly could have.

    18. Frog

    Disney / Via youllneverbetoooldfordisney.tumblr.com

    What other people think it means: An amphibious creature.

    What lifeguards know it means: The gross animal you have to fish out of the water despite the fact there are seemingly no lakes or ponds around your pool.

    19. Diving Board

    TDP / Via mimebenetnaschxtasis.tumblr.com

    What other people think it means: A device you jump off of into the pool.

    What lifeguards know it means: A device that kids jump off of and nearly hit their heads that terrifies you on a daily basis.

    20. Sunscreen

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    What other people think it means: A product used to protect you from sunburn.

    What lifeguards know it means: You apply it so much it's basically a second layer of skin.

    21. Lifeguard

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    What other people think it means: A job where you're assigned to watch over a pool or body of water, and maintain the safety and cleanliness of the facility.

    What lifeguards know it means: It can be a pain in the ass sometimes...but really, the best job ever.