wolf whistling
Crude public flirtation
Wolf whistling is the act of producing a sharp, sliding whistle—typically two notes, one rising and one falling—directed at someone to express sexual admiration or approval of their appearance.
It's usually aimed at women by men in public spaces: She walked past the construction site and the wolf whistling started.
Once considered flattering by some, it's now widely viewed as street harassment.
Harassing strangers verbally
- objectificationReducing humans to things
- leeringStaring with lustful intent
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- unwelcomeNot wanted here
inappropriate · creepy · predatory · street harassment · misogyny · sexism · disrespect · vulgar
Gender-based prejudice
- objectificationReducing humans to things
- misogynyHostility toward women
- chauvinismMilitant devotion to group
- patriarchyMale-dominated social order
condemnation · criticism · rebuke · censure · inappropriate · offensive · derogatory · belittlement
Playful romantic attention
- attentionFocused mental awareness
- signalMessage-conveying cue
- acknowledgmentConfirmation of receipt
- expressionConveyed thought or feeling
ogling · leer · gaze · stare · provocation · reaction · public · passerby
catcalling
Harassing strangers verbally
- objectificationReducing humans to things
- leeringStaring with lustful intent
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
unwelcome · inappropriate · creepy · predatory · street harassment · misogyny · sexism · disrespect · vulgar · offensive
sexism
Gender-based prejudice
- objectificationReducing humans to things
- misogynyHostility toward women
- chauvinismMilitant devotion to group
patriarchy · condemnation · criticism · rebuke · censure · inappropriate · offensive · derogatory · belittlement · toxic masculinity
flirtation
Playful romantic attention
- attentionFocused mental awareness
- signalMessage-conveying cue
- acknowledgmentConfirmation of receipt
expression · ogling · leer · gaze · stare · provocation · reaction · public · passerby · construction site
catcall
Harassing shout or whistle
two-tone · piercing · loud · call · lips · fingers · audible · recognizable · distinct · prolonged
- street harassmentcatcalling, groping, following, stalking, verbal abuse
- harassmentstalking, groping, catcalling, verbal abuse, threats
- objectificationsexualization, objectification, dehumanization, commodification, male gaze
wolf whistlingignoring
Deliberately not noticing
silence · looking away · keeping quiet · self-restraint · discretion
wolf, whistle, wolves, wolfish, wolfishly, whistles, whistled, whistler, whistlers