wolf whistle

noun

1. a wolf call made by whistling, often characterized by two sliding sounds, a peal up to a higher note and then one up to a lower note and down.

2. a similar whistle used by a man to express physical attraction to a woman.

wolf whistle

noun

1. a whistle made by a man to express admiration of a woman's appearance

verb

1. to make such a whistle (at someone)

Word History and Origins

Origin of wolf whistle¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

The cheeky bird would flatter passersby with a well-timed wolf whistle, Martin said.

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In her unpublished memoir, “I Am More Than a Wolf Whistle: The Story of Carolyn Bryant Donham,” Bryant wrote that she pleaded with her husband and his brother not to hurt the boy.

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Also in 2022, the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting obtained a copy of Mrs. Bryant’s unpublished memoir, “I Am More Than a Wolf Whistle.”

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The contents of the 99-page manuscript, titled “I Am More Than a Wolf Whistle,” were first reported by the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting.

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She was the 21-year-old white proprietress of the store where, according to her testimony in the September 1955 trial of her husband and brother-in-law for the murder, Till made a sexually suggestive remark, grabbed her roughly by the waist and let loose a wolf whistle.

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