h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

In t'olden days, people used to whistle a lot. They'd walk down the streets whistling, quite happily. Nowadays it doesn't happen...except in adverts, where it's a reminder of how damned annoying it can be.

So why did people stop whistling? Maybe it's because they're too busy on their phones, or perhaps things are too noisy in the streets; but I reckon we're all just too miserable to whistle.

I got trained out of it by an ex-housemate, because it gave him headaches. Probably for the best, really, it is quite annoying.

Did people *really* walk down the street whistling, or is that a rose-tinted thing that we do sometimes? I'm just curious.

...yes, they really did. Then about 25 years ago as the practise was dying out, you'd only hear old people doing it; especially that funny whistling-through-the-teeth thing...

It just didn't seem such a good thing to do after Roger Whittaker came along.

Witches use it to whistle up storm, especially to ship wreck mariners

Whistling on board ship is particularly frowned upon, sailors being a superstitious lot, it brings bad luck.

I've whistled up the wind when becalmed while sailing. You have to use a flat note, yusee.


You know how to whistle, don*t you Steve? You just put your lips together a just blow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MheNUWyROv8

I'm a whistler! Been one for years. And yes, it does annoy people inordinately - but I'm addicted. I can't stop myself. Particularly like whistling 'Amazing Grace', don't know why.

Oh, it's gotta be done.

My wife *hates* me whistling, but I have to - it's just my jolly nature. My Dad did it and that got passed onto me. If I'm in a very happy-mood, the whistling just flows from within - especially when I wend my weary-way along a high street!

Currently whistled-tune is 'Return of the Mack' - Mark Morrison, with particular warbling emphasis on the 'Do,do,do' bit.

It's the future, folks.

I guess the whistling was done back when everybody under 12 were also skipping down the street rather than walking.

I sing to myself a lot. I can get far more range, flexibility and accuracy that way. My whistling is pretty good, but it's just not the same.

Yeah I remember when I learned to whistle. What a thrill. And it still totally fascinates me how you *know* how to change your mouth and lips to make the tune. You just know...

There used to be a guy by the name of Ronnie Ronalde, who was a singing, yodeling whistler. At one time he was quite popular, never off the radio/TV. Great for bird impressions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrRJsZc56yc&feature=BFql&playnext=1&list=QL&index=4

We will never see his like again.

Deke

I learned very early that "A crooning cow, a crowing Hen and a whistling Maid boded never luck to a house" - only that it's a lot more drastic in German, and suggests they should be strangled as soon as possible.

>> Witches use it to whistle up storm, especially to ship wreck mariners

Whistling on board ship is particularly frowned upon, sailors being a superstitious lot, it brings bad luck. << : norti

Except is mandatory on galley duty, shelling peas.

You still hear in public loos when the lock's broke

I whistle along to songs on my MP3 player sometimes. It amuses me sometimes when I suddenly realize I've been whistling along to a heavy metal song! And not just that Rammstein one either:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQ1wsg6H-fs

I can whistle through my curled up tongue. Not very tunefully, it has to be said!

The house over the road from us is being painted on the outside and the painters quite a lot. At 6.30 in the morning!

I love whistling, but I've never done it in public myself.

Kaiser Bill's man.

I'm afrad I'm a perpetual whistler when I'm out.

Almost got thrown out of Burlington Arcade for whistling. It appears it is banned in there.

I particularly enjoy whistling in light rain. And why not.

A neighbour misses my whistle, since I moved, as it indicated the end of the day and all was well.



Famous quote:
'You know how to whistle, don't you, Steve? Just put your lips together and... blow!'

Try it now...

MMF

I whistle a lot, particularly when I'm working. People often say something along the lines of "You sound cheerful today", to which I point out that I am merely trying to keep my spirits up.

Whistling really annoys certain of my colleagues, which in my book can only make it a Good Thing and encourages me no end...