A pool is a small body of still water, either natural or built for swimming. It can also mean a shared supply of money, resources, or people that different users can draw from.
From Old English *pōl* “small body of water,” related to similar Germanic words. The idea of a shared “pool” of resources is a later metaphor based on water collecting in one place.
When companies talk about a “talent pool,” they’re quietly picturing people as water gathered in a basin. That image of still, shared water is one of the hidden metaphors shaping how we think about resources and groups.
Swimming pools and pool halls have both been gendered spaces at different times: women were historically restricted from public pools or given limited hours, and billiards 'pool' rooms were often male-dominated. These patterns reflected broader norms about gender, leisure, and public space.
When organizing or describing pool-related activities, avoid assuming a particular gender as the default participant and be mindful of access and safety concerns for all genders.
Women athletes and recreational swimmers have pushed for equal access to pools and competitive opportunities, while women players have challenged stereotypes in cue sports.
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