Advertisement
whistling (n.)
Old English hwistlung, verbal noun from hwistlian (see whistle (v.)).
Entries linking to whistling
whistle (v.)Old English hwistlian "to whistle," from Proto-Germanic *hwis-, of imitative origin (source also of Old Norse hvisla "to whisper," Danish hvisle "to hiss;" see whisper (v.)). Used also in Middle English of the hissing of serpents; in 17c. it also could mean "whisper." Transitive use from late 15c. Related: Whistled; whistling. At public events, often an expression of support or encouragement in U.S., but often derisive in Britain. To whistle for (with small prospect of getting) is perhaps from nautical whistling for a wind, an old sailor's superstition during a calm. "Such men will not whistle during a storm" [Century Dictionary]. To whistle "Dixie" is from 1940.
Share whistling
‘cite’
Page URL:
https://www.etymonline.com/word/whistling
HTML Link:
<a href="https://www.etymonline.com/word/whistling">Etymology of whistling by etymonline</a>
APA style:
Harper, D. (n.d.). Etymology of whistling. Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved $(datetime), from https://www.etymonline.com/word/whistling
Chicago style:
Harper Douglas, “Etymology of whistling,” Online Etymology Dictionary, accessed $(datetime), https://www.etymonline.com/word/whistling.
MLA style:
Harper, Douglas. “Etymology of whistling.” Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/word/whistling. Accessed $(datetimeMla).
IEEE style:
D. Harper. “Etymology of whistling.” Online Etymology Dictionary. https://www.etymonline.com/word/whistling (accessed $(datetime)).
Advertisement
Advertisement
Definitions of whistling
whistling (n.)
the sound made by something moving rapidly or by steam coming out of a small aperture;
Synonyms: whistle
whistling (n.)
the act of whistling a tune;
his cheerful whistling indicated that he enjoyed his work
whistling (n.)
the act of signalling (e.g., summoning) by whistling or blowing a whistle;
Synonyms: whistle
Dictionary entries near whistling
whispering
whist
whistle
whistleblower
whistler
whistling
whit
white
white bread
white elephant
white feather