# What is SWATing? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 30, 2012, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-swating/623523 "2012-05-30T06:46:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f08c70/32.png) [@Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shinna_Minna_Ma)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-swating/623523/1 "2012-05-30T06:46:01Z")
I see the term frequently, but I don’t know the meaning. Can anyone help me out here? ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-swating/623523/2 "2012-05-30T06:56:14Z")
In what context? ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-swating/623523/3 "2012-05-30T08:35:09Z")
In police work, SWAT stands for Special Weapons and Tactics—those guys in black uniforms with helmets and gas masks who always assault the houses where bad guys are holed up. I would assume if you’re storming a some gang’s hideout with a SWAT team, you’re SWATing. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-swating/623523/4 "2012-05-30T09:19:08Z")
It can meaning studying. Definition 13 here, [Urban Dictionary: SWAT](http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=swat&page=2) ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-swating/623523/5 "2012-05-30T10:22:54Z")
> [@Richard\_Pearse](#): > > It can meaning studying. Definition 13 here, [Urban Dictionary: swat](http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=swat&page=2) Usually spelt ‘swotting’ in that context, but may still be the usage the OP is referring to, if he/she has only ever heard it spoken. ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2012, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-swating/623523/6 "2012-05-30T10:44:43Z")
SWATting is making a hoax call to the police reporting a crime of sufficient gravity that a SWAT team is called. [Cite.](http://patterico.com/2012/05/25/convicted-bomber-brett-kimberlin-neal-rauhauser-ron-brynaert-and-their-campaign-of-political-terrorism/) ---
**Author:** ![Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f08c70/32.png) [@Shinna\_Minna\_Ma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shinna_Minna_Ma)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2012, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-swating/623523/7 "2012-05-31T06:32:01Z")
> [@VunderBob](#): > > SWATting is making a hoax call to the police reporting a crime of sufficient gravity that a SWAT team is called. [Cite.](http://patterico.com/2012/05/25/convicted-bomber-brett-kimberlin-neal-rauhauser-ron-brynaert-and-their-campaign-of-political-terrorism/) This is the context I was looking for. Thanks.