wet one's whistle
to have a drink
TRANSLATION
wet one's whistle = ein alkoholisches Getränk genießen; sich die Kehle anfeuchten
STATISTICS
IN THE PRESS
Put out the lawn chair, set the alarm and bring something to WET YOUR WHISTLE while you gaze into the night-time sky - the year's best shooting star show has started.
(USA Today newspaper)
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If you need to WET YOUR WHISTLE before or after the game then the Fox and Pheasant represents the best option if you’re into traditional pubs, but it can get a little crowded.
(Metro newspaper, UK)
(USA Today newspaper)
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If you need to WET YOUR WHISTLE before or after the game then the Fox and Pheasant represents the best option if you’re into traditional pubs, but it can get a little crowded.
(Metro newspaper, UK)
Did you
know?
wet one's whistle
idiom
- to have a drink (usually alcoholic)
(Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary)
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ORIGIN
Contrary to what one might discover via "netymology" (etymological myths propagated on the internet), the expression "wet your whistle" does not stem from an alleged practice of using a whistle to summon pub bartenders for a round of drinks.
The explanation is much simpler and not as interesting: whistle is slang for the throat. Having a drink is thus a way to wet your whistle. Although it sounds discriminatory toward non-drinkers, this phrase usually refers to having an alcoholic drink.
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IRISH JOKE
A priest driving down a motorway is stopped by a policeman for speeding. The policeman smells alcohol and then sees an empty wine bottle on the passengers seat. The policeman says,
"Have you been wetting your whistle father?"
The priest responds, "No officer, I just had a sip of water."
The policeman asks, "Then why do I smell wine?"
The priest looks at the bottle in amazement and says, "Praise the Lord! He's done it again!"
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SYNONYMS
have a swig, throw one back, slam one, toss one back, imbibe, quaff
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SMUGGLE OWAD into today's conversation
"Let’s stop on the way home and wet our whistles."
idiom
- to have a drink (usually alcoholic)
(Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary)
---
ORIGIN
Contrary to what one might discover via "netymology" (etymological myths propagated on the internet), the expression "wet your whistle" does not stem from an alleged practice of using a whistle to summon pub bartenders for a round of drinks.
The explanation is much simpler and not as interesting: whistle is slang for the throat. Having a drink is thus a way to wet your whistle. Although it sounds discriminatory toward non-drinkers, this phrase usually refers to having an alcoholic drink.
---
IRISH JOKE
A priest driving down a motorway is stopped by a policeman for speeding. The policeman smells alcohol and then sees an empty wine bottle on the passengers seat. The policeman says,
"Have you been wetting your whistle father?"
The priest responds, "No officer, I just had a sip of water."
The policeman asks, "Then why do I smell wine?"
The priest looks at the bottle in amazement and says, "Praise the Lord! He's done it again!"
---
SYNONYMS
have a swig, throw one back, slam one, toss one back, imbibe, quaff
---
SMUGGLE OWAD into today's conversation
"Let’s stop on the way home and wet our whistles."
