Random 'SpongeBob SquarePants' Jokes We Definitely Didn't Understand As Kids (17 items)

(#1) The French Tickler

SpongeBob once had a character on the show named "The Tickler" who happened to be French. That seems innocent enough until you hit Google and realize a "French tickler" is, perhaps unsurprisingly, a sex term.
(#2) A Totally Visible Fish Phallus

This isn't even a subtle joke. In Season 2, episode 3, "Bubble Buddy," a fish's genitals appear to be on full display. Maybe the animators assumed nobody would be looking, but nothing gets past the internet. Some naysayers may claim it's just his belly button, but then why would it be so low?
(#3) Squidward's Unsubtle Innuendo

In Season 7, episode 18, "Krusty Dogs," Mr. Krabs decides to sell hot dogs at the Krusty Krab, to which Squidward says he hopes Mr. Krabs's "whole wiener thing” will “blow right up in his face." It doesn’t take a particularly dirty mind to interpret this inappropriately, just one that’s been exposed to the adult world.
(#4) Every Weed Lover’s Favorite Day

In a tip of the hat to the many, many grown-up fans who regularly enjoy the show while high, Season 4, episode 20 is titled "Best Day Ever." 4/20 is, of course, the day when weed smokers most vocally celebrate their love of cannabis.
(#5) That Time Of The Month

In Season 5, episode 4, "SpyBob," a big, red blimp appears, and Squidward tells Mr. Krabs, "It's that time of the month," in a quick reference to menstruation.
(#6) SpongeBob Misunderstands Being 'Assertive'

In Season 1, episode 18, "Walking Small," SpongeBob is instructed to be "assertive," to which he responds by sticking his finger in and out of a pocket in a perfectly juvenile visual gag that only really registers for viewers over, say, 11 years old.
(#7) A Reference To The World's Oldest Profession

The nakedness and the exchange of cash make this particular visual joke about sex work in Season 3, episode 20, "Pranks A Lot (AKA Naked Pants)" perfectly clear.
(#8) SpongeBob Calls Mrs. Puff The C-Word

In Season 2, episode 10, "No Free Rides," SpongeBob tells Mrs. Puff, "See you next Tuesday," which is sometimes used as a euphemism for an extremely rude word.
(#9) Don't Drop The Soap

In Season 2, episode 13, "Gary Takes A Bath," SpongeBob tries making bathtime more fun for Gary by dressing the tub as a treasure chest and handing him two bars of soaps he calls "doubloons." SpongeBob then tells Gary not to “drop 'em,” then creepily winks, making the reference abundantly clear.
(#10) SpongeBob's Nose In Underpants

In Season 1, episode 6, "Pickles," when SpongeBob puts underwear on his face, his nose pokes out to create a suggestive shape.
(#11) Suggestive Snowballs

In Season 3, episode 6, "The Snowball Effect," two fish are making a mermaid out of snow that looks pretty much complete. But where are the large snowballs in their hands going to go?
(#12) Are Those Balloons?

In Season 7, episode 10, "The Play's The Thing," SpongeBob makes a balloon Squidward - but the balloons are see-through and have a small reservoir at the end, making them appear to be condoms.
(#13) Patrick's Tongue

In Season 2, episode 17, "I'm with Stupid," Patrick attempts to make furniture out of sand. But before we know what he's actually making, he starts licking a very phallic-looking sculpture (it later turns into a lamp).
(#14) SpongeBob's Viewing Habits

In Season 2, episode 1, "Your Shoe's Untied," SpongeBob is excitedly watching what looks like an anemone dancing to music on TV. When Gary slides in, SpongeBob quickly puts on a football game, claiming he "was just looking for the sports channel."
(#15) Patrick's Genius

In Season 1, episode 18, "Texas," SpongeBob tells Patrick that his "genius" is showing. An alarmed Patrick quickly covers his crotch and asks, "Where?"
(#16) Mr. Krabs's Panty Raid

Many adults would argue that a panty raid is 100% unnecessary in a cartoon ostensibly aimed at children - especially when it turns out Mr. Krabs raided his own mother's underwear. The episode, "Mid-Life Crustacean," has been out of rotation since 2018.
(#17) The Coin Slot

In Season 3, episode 2, "My Pretty Seahorse," a fish tries to find the "coin slot" on a seahorse they think is a kiddie ride. "Here it is!" he says and inserts a coin offscreen into presumably a very uncomfortable place. The seahorse then sends him flying.