catcalls

Harassing street shouts

Catcalls are whistles, shouts, or crude remarks directed at someone in public, typically by men toward women passing on the street.

The term originally meant jeers of disapproval from a theater audience.

Now it almost always refers to unwanted sexual attention: She ignored the catcalls from the construction workers.

To catcall is to make such sounds.

harassment

whistle

Shrill air-blown sounder

wolf-whistleLewd ascending-descending whistle
leerSuggestive sidelong look
ogleStare lustfully at

holler · shout · yell · objectification · sexism · misogyny · intimidation · street harassment · unwelcome · inappropriate

heckling

jeer

Vocal expression of scorn

booShout to startle or jeer
hissSharp sibilant sound
tauntInsulting provocation

mock · ridicule · heckle · barrack · razz · scoff · gibe · shout · interrupt · disrupt

whistle

wolf-whistle

Lewd ascending-descending whistle

shrillHigh-pitched and harsh
piercingPenetrating or very sharp
loudHigh in volume

pucker · blow · construction site · passing car · street corner · signal · crude · lewd · suggestive

Categories

audience behaviorcheering, clapping, booing, standing ovation, applause
audience reactionsapplause, clapping, booing, cheering, laughter
mockerymockery, ridiculing, jeers, jeering, jibes
outcriescries, screams, shouts, yells, howls
come-onspickup lines, flirtation, advances, passes, overtures
loud noisesnoise, bang, crash, roar, boom

Opposites

audience response valence

catcallsapplause

Collective hand-clapping approval

cheers · ovation · acclaim · acclamation · standing ovation

street harassment vs. respect

catcallscompliments

Expressions of admiration

courtesy · respect · gentlemanly conduct · decorum · kind words

Family

catcall, catcalling, catcalled, catcaller, catcallers

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG-13