lifeguard, pool attendant, or?

[hhgygy]

Hi native speakers.

I have always had problems with the simplest words of everyday life in English as a translator as I have not lived much in an English-speaking country.

Today's question concerns the job at a public swimming pool which includes watching over swimmers.

I have found in wikipedia that lifeguard also applies to swimming pools but somehow I feel this word odd in that context. (Maybe I'm influenced by Baywatch)
Also found a job description for "pool attendant".
So how do you call this person in everday language?
Thank you.

[James Hogg]

"Pool attendant" is what you want.

--
James

[Guy Barry]

"hhgygy" wrote in message
news:472fe01a-0b1e-405a...@googlegroups.com...

> Today's question concerns the job at a public swimming pool which includes
> watching over swimmers.

> I have found in wikipedia that lifeguard also applies to swimming pools
> but somehow I feel this word odd in that context. (Maybe I'm influenced by
> Baywatch)
> Also found a job description for "pool attendant".
> So how do you call this person in everday language?

I'd call them "lifeguards", but I don't know if that's the official job
title.

--
Guy Barry

[GordonD]

"James Hogg" <Jas....@gOUTmail.com> wrote in message
news:k82cfp$ovl$1...@speranza.aioe.org...

"Pool attendant" to me implies that in addition to the life-saving aspect
the job involves various other duties, like maintaining order and
discipline, keeping the place tidy and safe, indicating the end of timed
swimming sessions and the like. Which is usually the case.
--
Gordon Davie
Edinburgh, Scotland

"Slipped the surly bonds of Earth...to touch the face of God."

[Mark Brader]

We are asked:

>> Today's question concerns the job at a public swimming pool which
>> includes watching over swimmers.

"Lifeguard".

Here's one in the UK:

http://kirkleesactive.co.uk/images/library/centres/spenborough_/spen_pool_lifeguard.jpg

Here are some in the US:

http://www.swimjobs.com/wp-content/themes/default/images/kubrickheader.jpg

Hotels typically don't provide lifeguards at their swimming pools,
and in my experience it's standard for them to announce this by
posting a sign reading "NO LIFEGuARD ON DUTY", like this:

https://image.poolcorp.com/images/PSL/42/PSL-42-2005.jpg

James Hogg:

> "Pool attendant" is what you want.

Huh? See the above examples. "Pool attendant" sounds like someone
maintains the pool or serves drinks beside it.
--
Mark Brader | "I have on occasion manufactured technical terms that
Toronto | have made it into common use in the literature.
m...@vex.net | But not many, and I'm licensed." --John Lawler

My text in this article is in the public domain.

[James Hogg]

Mark Brader wrote:
> We are asked:
>>> Today's question concerns the job at a public swimming pool which
>>> includes watching over swimmers.
>
> "Lifeguard".
>
> Here's one in the UK:
>
> http://kirkleesactive.co.uk/images/library/centres/spenborough_/spen_pool_lifeguard.jpg
>
> Here are some in the US:
>
> http://www.swimjobs.com/wp-content/themes/default/images/kubrickheader.jpg
>
> Hotels typically don't provide lifeguards at their swimming pools,
> and in my experience it's standard for them to announce this by
> posting a sign reading "NO LIFEGuARD ON DUTY", like this:
>
> https://image.poolcorp.com/images/PSL/42/PSL-42-2005.jpg
>
> James Hogg:
>> "Pool attendant" is what you want.
>
> Huh? See the above examples. "Pool attendant" sounds like someone
> maintains the pool or serves drinks beside it.

The question concerned the job at a public swimming pool which
*includes* watching over swimmers.

I cite just one Google example of the duties of a "pool attendant"
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110520164049AA355CL

I also checked my German-English dictionary to see how it translates
"Bademeister", and the only word they had was "pool attendant".

--
James

[hhgygy]

By the way in case of most of these jobs the Hungarian term we use is literally translated from German. In this case, however, the literal translation is "Swimming master".

[Peter Duncanson [BrE]]

I understand "lifeguard" to be a specialist job requiring training and a
recognised qualification. In the UK this probably be an NPLQ (National
Pool Lifeguard Qualification):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Pool_Lifeguard_Qualification

This responsibilities of this "Pool Attendant" job do not necessarily
include life-saving. For instance:
https://www3.i-grasp.com/fe/tpl_marriott01.asp?s=oluWtZEbOmDPuRrDmj&jobid=101471,8823473446&key=76741025&c=466512343454&pagestamp=selllynluwvfpmjgjz

Job Details
Pool Attendant


Ref MEA0527-5
Country Jordan
Location Jordan Valley Marriott
Function Recreation/Health Club
....

Key areas of responsibilities:

1. Provide coverage to pool area as scheduled.

2. Keep pool area clean and free of debris.

3. Test water and adjust chemicals on an hourly basis to
maintain required levels as needed.

4. Assist guests with exercises and exercise equipment.

5. Maintain required cleanliness/safety levels by completing
checklists during shift.

6. Fold and stock pool towels as needed.

7. Each associate is expected to carry out all reasonable requests
by management which the associate is capable of performing.

--
Peter Duncanson, UK
(in alt.usage.english)

[Jerry Friedman]

("What do you call", not "how do you call".)

In my experience of American English, the only word is "lifeguard",
whether the person would rescue swimmers at a swimming pool or a
beach. Of course a pool attendant or anyone else would help in an
emergency, but I'd understand a pool attendant's job to be like the
one Peter Duncanson quoted a description of.

--
Jerry Friedman

[hhgygy]

That's my perennial mistake :-) Thanks for reminding me again but it is just hopeless.

[Lars Enderin]

2012-11-15 16:28, hhgygy skrev:
> That's my perennial mistake :-) Thanks for reminding me again but it is just hopeless.
>>
>> ("What do you call", not "how do you call".)
>>

Another mistake is top-posting. Please reply AFTER the text you're
replying to.

--
Lars Enderin

[tony cooper]

On Thu, 15 Nov 2012 11:26:50 +0100, James Hogg <Jas....@gOUTmail.com>
wrote:

While any place with a swimming pool can use any term they want to to
describe the job of the person they hire to watch over the safety of
the swimmers, the normal job title would be "lifeguard".

If the job is "pool attendant", the job function would normally be to
keep the pool clean, hand out and collect towels, arrange the chairs
and lounges, and see over the lockers.

A pool that employs just one person to both watch over the safety of
swimmers and also do some of the functions of the pool attendant,
would still use the term "lifeguard" for the one employee. Safety is
his/her prime concern.







--
Tony Cooper - Orlando, Florida

[Robert Bannister]

I would expect a "pool attendant" to be fully dressed, checking the
locker rooms and stuff like that, while a lifeguard would be ready to
swim and save lives.

--
Robert Bannister

[Robert Bannister]

On 15/11/12 11:28 PM, hhgygy wrote:
> That's my perennial mistake :-) Thanks for reminding me again but it is just hopeless.
>>
>> ("What do you call", not "how do you call".)
>>

I'm not convinced that "how" is actually wrong with "call". Wrong are
questions like "How is your name?", "How is your address?".

--
Robert Bannister

[tony cooper]

Yes, the lifeguard is there to save lives, the pool attendant to do
stuff around the pool, and the pool boy to clean the pool and service
the mistress.

[Snidely]

Jerry Friedman noted that:

I agree, and I think Tony's summary also fits.

/dps "unattended swimmant"

--
Who, me? And what lacuna?

[hhgygy]

Isn't that because about one billion people who are not native English speakers try to express themselves in this Universe and maybe you encounter "How do you call something" much more than before? I'm only guessing

[CDB]

On 16/11/2012 7:25 AM, hhgygy wrote:

> Robert Bannister wrote:
>> hhgygy wrote:

>>> That's my perennial mistake :-) Thanks for reminding me again but it is just hopeless.

>>>> ("What do you call", not "how do you call".)

>> I'm not convinced that "how" is actually wrong with "call". Wrong are

>> questions like "How is your name?", "How is your address?".

> Isn't that because about one billion people who are not native English speakers
try to express themselves in this Universe and maybe you encounter "How
do you call
something" much more than before? I'm only guessing

That probably comes into it, but Google Books turns up examples from the
nineteenth century. I can't say how many: they cut me off after ten
hits. A couple of the ones I saw were presented as foreign speech (I
think one was Dr Van Helsing), but most were not.

The influence of the French "comment appelez-vous ...?" would surely
have been a factor for centuries.

[Mark Brader]

>>> ("What do you call", not "how do you call".)

Robert Bannister:

> I'm not convinced that "how" is actually wrong with "call".

It isn't wrong, but it asks a different question.

What do you call the referee in a game of duplicate bridge?
The director.
How do you call the referee in a game of duplicate bridge?
I raise my hand and say "Director!"

(Other answers to both questions are possible.)
--
Mark Brader, Toronto | "It was too crazy to be true,
m...@vex.net | and too crazy to be false." --Tom Clancy

[John Varela]

I agree that's standard AmE usage. When I read the words "pool
attendant" I visualize a guy handing out towels.

--
John Varela

When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will
herald the end of the republic. -- Benjamin Franklin

[John Varela]

"How do you call the cows home?" vs. "What do you call the new
baby?"

[hhgygy]

> It isn't wrong, but it asks a different question.
>
>
>
> What do you call the referee in a game of duplicate bridge?
>
> The director.
>
> How do you call the referee in a game of duplicate bridge?
>
> I raise my hand and say "Director!"
>

It is absolutely clear. The problem (for me) is that in Hungarian these two sentences would both use the equivalent of "how" in Hungarian.
There is even a type of joke based on this ambiguity:

- "How" do you call a fireman in Japan?
- By phone.

Which is obviously a nonsense joke in English but it is working in Hungarian because we use the same word for "WHAT do you call" and "HOW do you call".

[Robert Bannister]

It doesn't work in German because you wouldn't use the same verb for
"call". It could work in French, but you wouldn't usually say it that
way unless you were English.

--
Robert Bannister

[GordonD]

"Mark Brader" <m...@vex.net> wrote in message
news:a7Gdnd98RKXLQTvN...@vex.net...

>>>> ("What do you call", not "how do you call".)
>
> Robert Bannister:
>> I'm not convinced that "how" is actually wrong with "call".
>
> It isn't wrong, but it asks a different question.
>
> What do you call the referee in a game of duplicate bridge?
> The director.
> How do you call the referee in a game of duplicate bridge?
> I raise my hand and say "Director!"
>
> (Other answers to both questions are possible.)

And of course "How do you do?" and "What do you do?" are entirely different
questions.

(Arguably the first one isn't even a question, as the correct response is to
say "How do you do?" in return, not to tell the person your current state of
health.)

[Guy Barry]

"GordonD" wrote in message news:agrpv9...@mid.individual.net...

> And of course "How do you do?" and "What do you do?" are entirely
> different questions.

> (Arguably the first one isn't even a question, as the correct response is
> to say "How do you do?" in return, not to tell the person your current
> state of health.)

That's the sort of thing that makes foreigners think we're mad.

--
Guy Barry

[Andrew B]

On the grounds that one should actually ask "It goes?" with the response
"It goes"?

[R H Draney]

Andrew B filted:

Analogy would demand the following response:

Policeman: "Do you know how fast you were going?"
Motorist: "Do *you* know how fast I was going?"

Frankly, I wouldn't recommend it....r


--
Me? Sarcastic?
Yeah, right.

[Mark Brader]

Gordon Davie:

>>>> And of course "How do you do?" and "What do you do?" are entirely
>>>> different questions.

>>>> (Arguably the first one isn't even a question, as the correct response
>>>> is to say "How do you do?" in return, not to tell the person your
>>>> current state of health.)

R.H. Draney:

> Analogy would demand the following response:
>
> Policeman: "Do you know how fast you were going?"
> Motorist: "Do *you* know how fast I was going?"
>
> Frankly, I wouldn't recommend it.

You mean:

Policeman: "Do you know how fast you were going?"

Motorist: "Do you know how fast *you* was going?"

I wouldn't recommend that either.
--
Mark Brader | "Red lights are not my concern.
Toronto | I am a driver, not a policeman."
m...@vex.net | --statement made after collision, 1853

[Dr Nick]

m...@vex.net (Mark Brader) writes:

> Gordon Davie:
>>>>> And of course "How do you do?" and "What do you do?" are entirely
>>>>> different questions.
>
>>>>> (Arguably the first one isn't even a question, as the correct
>>>>> response is to say "How do you do?" in return, not to tell the
>>>>> person your current state of health.)
>
> R.H. Draney:
>> Analogy would demand the following response:
>>
>> Policeman: "Do you know how fast you were going?" Motorist: "Do
>> *you* know how fast I was going?"
>>
>> Frankly, I wouldn't recommend it.
>
> You mean:
>
> Policeman: "Do you know how fast you were going?" Motorist: "Do
> you know how fast *you* was going?"
>
> I wouldn't recommend that either.

Policeman: "Do you know how fast you were going?"

Heisenberg: "No, but I know exactly where I am".

[R H Draney]

Dr Nick filted:

Policeman (seq): "You sound uncertain."

[Robert Bannister]

On 19/11/12 3:01 AM, Mark Brader wrote:
> Gordon Davie:
>>>>> And of course "How do you do?" and "What do you do?" are entirely
>>>>> different questions.
>
>>>>> (Arguably the first one isn't even a question, as the correct response
>>>>> is to say "How do you do?" in return, not to tell the person your
>>>>> current state of health.)
>
> R.H. Draney:
>> Analogy would demand the following response:
>>
>> Policeman: "Do you know how fast you were going?"
>> Motorist: "Do *you* know how fast I was going?"
>>
>> Frankly, I wouldn't recommend it.
>
> You mean:
>
> Policeman: "Do you know how fast you were going?"
> Motorist: "Do you know how fast *you* was going?"
>
> I wouldn't recommend that either.
>

Me (many years ago): "Fair cop. I was doing 130".
(This is a metric country, so that is kph, not mph.)

Policeman: "I had to do 160 to catch you up."
(I was about to point out that he would have had to travel faster than I
was going if he was going to catch me up, but decided it was wiser to
keep silent)

Policeman (after much writing) "I'm giving you this caution not because
it's Christmas Eve, but because you're the first person I've stopped
today that hasn't called me a lying bastard".

o o O o o

I should have mentioned that the policeman's first words were "Didn't
you see me hiding behind those trees?"
- This was on the Nullarbor Plain.

--
Robert Bannister

[Peter Duncanson [BrE]]

<genuine LOL>

[GordonD]

"Dr Nick" <nosp...@temporary-address.org.uk> wrote in message
news:87zk2ep...@temporary-address.org.uk...

Policeman: "What's in the box?"
Schr�dinger: "I don't know."