catcall

American  

[kat-kawl] / ˈkætˌkɔl /

noun

1. a shrill, whistlelike sound or loud raucous shout made to express disapproval at a theater, meeting, etc.

   Synonyms:

   jeer, hiss, boo

2. an instrument for producing such a sound.

---

verb (used without object)

1. to sound catcalls.

verb (used with object)

1. to express disapproval of by catcalls.

catcall British  

/ ˈkætˌkɔːl /

noun

1. a shrill whistle or cry expressing disapproval, as at a public meeting, etc

---

verb

1. to utter such a call (at); deride with catcalls

Other Word Forms

• catcaller
  noun

Etymology

Origin of catcall

First recorded in 1650–60; cat ( def. ) + call

Explanation

Boooo! Hisss! Come on ref! Are you blind?! Those are just a few family-friendly catcalls, or rowdy cries of disapproval. Next time you're stuck watching a terrible movie, don't throw rotten tomatoes at the screen. Try a catcall instead. The impassioned taunts and disapproving shouts are already a staple at sporting events across the globe. They're also a favorite among construction workers, who like to whistle at and catcall the ladies walking by. Which, by the way, is totally inappropriate.

Example Sentences

Maxim’s hiring of Lanphear is of a piece with GQ’s bringing on Jezebel alumna Lindy West as a culture writer and with Playboy.com’s posting a pro-woman flowchart headlined “Should You Catcall Her?”

From Slate • Mar. 9, 2015

Liz Naylor, who runs Catcall, the band's record label, shoves her hands into the crowd and pulls the girls to the front.

From The Guardian • Jan. 9, 2013

Related Words

• boo
• derision
• hiss
• hoot
• jeer
• whistle