# What is "adult swim"? (not the TV network) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 17, 2015, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-adult-swim-not-the-tv-network/722717 "2015-06-17T02:27:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![core](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d26b3c/32.png) [@core](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/core)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-adult-swim-not-the-tv-network/722717/1 "2015-06-17T02:27:46Z")
I’m in a hotel right now. All the time I walk past the pool and see a sign that says something to the effect of “Adult swim: 10pm-midnight”. What is that all about? I’ve been seeing this for all my life and it has never mattered. Until now. Need answer fast. It’s 9:27 CDT and I need to know how to dress. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-adult-swim-not-the-tv-network/722717/2 "2015-06-17T02:31:00Z")
No kiddies allowed. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-adult-swim-not-the-tv-network/722717/3 "2015-06-17T02:31:30Z")
it means no sub-human, obnoxious infection factories ruining your good time at the pool ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-adult-swim-not-the-tv-network/722717/4 "2015-06-17T02:36:02Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > No kiddies allowed. Ok, what is adult swim, the TV network? ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-adult-swim-not-the-tv-network/722717/5 "2015-06-17T02:38:51Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Ok, what is adult swim, the TV network? Duh, A TV network. One that shows adult oriented animation/shows on Cartoon network after like 8pm or so. ---
**Author:** ![core](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d26b3c/32.png) [@core](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/core)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-adult-swim-not-the-tv-network/722717/6 "2015-06-17T02:39:17Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > it means no sub-human, obnoxious infection factories ruining your good time at the pool Good. I’m hoping the chlorine will kill the remnants of the infection factory occupants from before 10pm. What does “good time” mean? Heheheh Anyway I’m guessing I am expected to show up with clothing on. Good to know. I’d hate to flub things up with this chick after I just met her. If she has infants, hopefully she abandons them in the room or the hot vehicle. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-adult-swim-not-the-tv-network/722717/7 "2015-06-17T02:41:19Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > Duh, A TV network. One that shows adult oriented animation/shows on Cartoon network after like 8pm or so. And it’s called “adult swim?” How odd. ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-adult-swim-not-the-tv-network/722717/8 "2015-06-17T02:42:22Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > No kiddies allowed. This is how I remember it at the local neighborhood pool when I was a kid. Back then, I was clearly considered “a kid”. As I approached 18, we stopped going to that pool, so I didn’t undergo any specific “Wow now I can Adult Swim!” moment. Is the age to qualify for Adult Swim generally 18, or do some pools set it to 21 or some other “magic” age? Do any pools have specific policies on this, or is it more an informal thing that everyone is expected to understand? Does “Adult Swim” not refer to any specific age per se but actually refer to some sort of swimming merit badge or other qualification that teens can earn to prove that they know not to pee in the pool and whatnot? ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-adult-swim-not-the-tv-network/722717/9 "2015-06-17T02:43:13Z")
> [@core](#): > > What does “good time” mean? Heheheh Anyway I’m guessing I am expected to show up with clothing on. I would check with management on specific policies with regards to this… > [@](#): > > Good to know. I’d hate to flub things up with this chick after I just met her. If she has infants, hopefully she abandons them in the room or the hot vehicle. …or a dumpster. A hot dumpster. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-adult-swim-not-the-tv-network/722717/10 "2015-06-17T02:45:20Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > And it’s called “adult swim?” How odd. Meh. It makes sense considering it is on the same channel as cartoon network which is normally directed to children. And some of the stuff on adult swim certainly is NOT meant for kids. At all. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-adult-swim-not-the-tv-network/722717/11 "2015-06-17T02:49:10Z")
> [@robert\_columbia](#): > > Is the age to qualify for Adult Swim generally 18, or do some pools set it to 21 or some other “magic” age? Do any pools have specific policies on this, or is it more an informal thing that everyone is expected to understand? Does “Adult Swim” not refer to any specific age per se but actually refer to some sort of swimming merit badge or other qualification that teens can earn to prove that they know not to pee in the pool and whatnot? Different pools different policies. But I always understood it to mean you were mature enough to act like an adult without supervision or bothering anyone. Which is still debatable for a lot of so called “adults” (myself included). Also, sometimes booze is allowed. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-adult-swim-not-the-tv-network/722717/12 "2015-06-17T02:50:33Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > And it’s called “adult swim?” How odd. Why is it odd? ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-adult-swim-not-the-tv-network/722717/13 "2015-06-17T02:51:46Z")
At the private pool I frequented as a young’un, adult swim was the last ten minutes of every hour. The lifeguards blew their whistles at ten minutes before the hour, and everyone under 21 years old had to get out for those ten minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-adult-swim-not-the-tv-network/722717/14 "2015-06-17T02:53:41Z")
> [@core](#): > > Anyway I’m guessing I am expected to show up with clothing on. Good to know. Just so you know, European swimming means women can take their tops off. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-adult-swim-not-the-tv-network/722717/15 "2015-06-17T02:55:00Z")
> [@Frylock](#): > > Why is it odd? Seems like a strange name for a TV network, but I’ll get used to it. Sorry for the tangent. I’m familiar with the term for actual pools. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-adult-swim-not-the-tv-network/722717/16 "2015-06-17T02:58:21Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Seems like a strange name for a TV network, but I’ll get used to it. Sorry for the tangent. I’m familiar with the term for actual pools. How is it stranger than most other names for TV network? It’s uncharacteristically appropriate, really. During the day, the Cartoon Network shows primarily children’s programming. At night it becomes Cartoon Network [Adult Swim], to indicate that it’s time for the kiddies to get out of the pool. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-adult-swim-not-the-tv-network/722717/17 "2015-06-17T03:01:46Z")
Why is there adult swim? Adult swim expert Roy Fielding, who is the aquatics director at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte and a member of the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council, explains. (sub req, sort of) [http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/11/do-pools-need-adult-only-swim-time/](http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/11/do-pools-need-adult-only-swim-time/) Basically it’s safer, saner and more hygienic if the kiddies get a break from the pool every now and then. Also, adults pay the bills so they get some time to themselves. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-adult-swim-not-the-tv-network/722717/18 "2015-06-17T03:06:20Z")
Also, during adult swim time, you might have a reasonable chance of getting some laps in without having to swim though a minefield of frolicking children. ---
**Author:** ![core](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d26b3c/32.png) [@core](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/core)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-adult-swim-not-the-tv-network/722717/19 "2015-06-17T03:12:40Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > Also, during adult swim time, you might have a reasonable chance of getting some laps in without having to swim though a minefield of frolicking children. This is one idea I thought about. But try doing laps in a kidney shaped pool. (This one.) Also try doing laps around the things I’m seeing going on now. I’m trying to sell her on snfaulkner’s trash removal plan. Seems much more clean and I’d like to do my part to help the local economy. ---
**Author:** ![PurpleClogs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f04885/32.png) [@PurpleClogs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PurpleClogs)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2015, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-adult-swim-not-the-tv-network/722717/20 "2015-06-17T03:12:50Z")
Gives the lifeguards a chance to take a break too. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-adult-swim-not-the-tv-network/722717.md?page=2)