bells and whistles

Sometimes whistles and bells

plural noun

Informal.

1. features added to a product; special parts or functions; extras.

bells and whistles

plural noun

1. additional features or accessories which are nonessential but very attractive

   my car has all the latest bells and whistles

2. additions, such as options or warranties, made to a financial product to increase its market appeal

Word History and Origins

Origin of bells and whistles¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Word History and Origins

Origin of bells and whistles¹

C20: from the bells and whistles which used to decorate fairground organs

Example Sentences

The party that’s united around a neutral extension of funding without partisan bells and whistles—known in the jargon as a “clean” bill—comes out on top.

From Slate

“There’s nothing like it. It’s raw, just bass, drums, guitar, and vocals off the floor. Then, you add all the bells and whistles as you go along. When we can do things like that, it just reminds me who we are.”

From Los Angeles Times

I booked the Mountain View Suite, which has the most bells and whistles.

From Los Angeles Times

“That kick drum hit me, and I was like, ‘Ah man, I don’t need an 808 and all the bells and whistles — I just need old-school guitars, bass and drums.’

From Los Angeles Times

“F1: The Movie” is not just a movie, it’s a film constructed to look like entertainment, with all of the bells and whistles ringing so loudly you’ll forget that what you’re watching has very little in the way of actual story.

From Salon