Swirlies are real
We’ve seen movies where the school bullies would pick on the biggest nerd and dunk his head in the toilet. The sad thing is that this really happens in most schools during that time. If you were a nerd in the 60s, you would be most likely bullied.
Source: Herald Weekly
Although bullying is still pretty much around, thankfully, the methods of bullying have changed over the years. It is still cruel but not as cruel and humiliating as a swirlie. Students and schools are no longer tolerating it.