Awolf whistle is a distinctive two-noteglissandowhistled sound made to show high interest in or approval of something or someone (usually a woman), especially at someone viewed asphysically orsexually attractive. A modern wolf whistle directed at a person is sometimes considered a precursor tosexual harassment, or a form of sexual harassment in itself.[1][2][3]
The name comes from theWolf character in the popular 1943Tex Avery cartoonRed Hot Riding Hood who whistles in this way at the female characterRed.[4] He whistles at her in several other subsequent cartoons. The term appears in North American newspapers as early as 1943.[5] It appears in British newspapers from 1949 onwards.[6][7]
According to Adam Edwards ofDaily Express, the wolf whistle originates from the navy General Call made with aboatswain's pipe. The General Call is made on a ship to get the attention of all hands for an announcement. Sailors in harbour would whistle the General Call upon seeing an attractive woman to draw fellow sailors' attention to her. It was eventually picked up by passers-by, not knowing the real meaning of the whistle, and passed on.[8][better source needed] During a 2015 broadcast ofA Way with Words, doubt was cast upon this explanation by lexicographerGrant Barrett, who noted that it was very thinly supported.[9] The Turn To Call is far closer to the wolf whistle than the General Call.[10]
we met the battery of gibes and wolf whistles with what we pretended was complete unconcern
... and not even the faintest suspicion of a "wolf" whistle!
And a lone wolf whistle came from the back.
The dictionary definition ofwolf whistle at Wiktionary