Where does the turm ''wolf whistle'' come from, as wolfs dont whistle, they howl?

Question

Where does the turm ''wolf whistle'' come from, as wolfs dont whistle, they howl?

Answer 1

It is a compound word (made from two other words) as shown in the following link:

Answer 2

The wolf refers to the slang word for a male who gives a female unwanted attention

Answer 3

probably sounded like the howl you get from men on building sites

Answer 4

The ancient origins of this phrase start with the work root, which meant "an enemy posing as a friend." Aesop's tale warns that deceit would never succeed and "wolves" should not try to disguise themselves because they will soon be discovered. A surprising example of this phrase was found in the Gospel according to St. Matthew, in which Jesus warns of "false prophets which come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly they are ravening wolves."

It wasn't until the 20th century that "wolf" came to mean a philanderer, but the root word is the same. That expression led to "wolf call", "wolf whistle." and so on.

Answer 5

Ahh, but a wolf is a man who chases down pretty women and they use to whistle at the pretty women

Answer 6

wolf  

O.E. wulf, from P.Gmc. *wulfaz (cf. O.S. wulf, O.N. ulfr, O.Fris., Du., O.H.G., Ger. wolf, Goth. wulfs), from PIE *wlqwos/*lukwos, from base *wlp-/*lup- (cf. Skt. vrkas, Avestan vehrka-; Albanian ulk; O.C.S. vluku; Rus. volcica; Lith. vilkas "wolf;" O.Pers. Varkana- "Hyrcania," district southeast of the Caspian Sea, lit. "wolf-land;" probably also Gk. lykos, L. lupus). The verb meaning "eat like a wolf" is attested from 1862. Wolves as a symbol of lust are ancient, e.g. Roman slang lupa "w***e," lit. "she-wolf" (preserved in Sp. loba, It. lupa, Fr. louve). The equation of "wolf" and "prostitute, sexually voracious female" persisted into 12c., but by Elizabethan times wolves had become primarily symbolic of male lust. The specific use of wolf for "sexually aggressive male" first recorded 1847; wolf-whistle first attested 1952.

Answer 7

It comes from wolf: 'a man who makes amorous advances to many women'. A wolf whistle is an extension of this idea. It's a sign of those amorous advances.

Answer 8

Papaw that was a truly excellent answer, knew the second but never thought of the application and gained some knowledge. Thanks for not selling any wolf tickets.