E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Cat-call.
A kind of whistle used at theatres by the audience to express displeasure or impatience. A hideous noise like the call or waul of a cat.
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“I was very much surprised with the great consort of cat-calls … . to see so many persons of quality of both sexes assembled together at a kind of caterwauling.”—Addison, Spectator, No. 361.
