katla
C1Informal, often negative
Definition
Meaning
a loud whistle or shout of disapproval or mockery, especially one made at a public performance or towards a person.
Can also refer to a loud, critical, or sexually suggestive remark directed at someone, typically a woman, in a public space.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily associated with audience reactions in theatres or at performances (historical and modern). In contemporary use, strongly associated with street harassment and sexist behaviour.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is understood identically in both varieties. The practice itself might be reported on more frequently in US media regarding street harassment.
Connotations
Universally negative, implying rudeness, hostility, or sexism.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both dialects; a known term but not extremely common in everyday conversation.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to catcall [someone]to be subjected to catcallscatcalls from the crowdVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The performance was met with a chorus of catcalls.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used. Might appear in discussions about workplace harassment or conference disruptions.
Academic
Used in sociological, gender studies, or performance studies contexts.
Everyday
Used when discussing unpleasant public behaviour, especially street harassment or bad audience conduct.
Technical
Not a technical term.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- A few lads started to catcall the speaker from the back of the hall.
- She walked on, refusing to acknowledge the men who tried to catcall her.
American English
- The comedian was catcalled by a disgruntled audience member.
- It's unacceptable to catcall someone on the street.
adjective
British English
- The catcall behaviour was reported to security.
American English
- She faced a catcall culture at her construction site.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The bad singer got many catcalls.
- Some people in the crowd began to catcall when the politician started speaking.
- The play's controversial scene was greeted with a mixture of applause and angry catcalls from the gallery.
- Municipal initiatives are being launched to combat the pervasive issue of street catcalling, which many women report experiencing daily.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'cat' making a loud, unpleasant yowl – a 'catcall' is a similarly loud, unpleasant shout from a person.
Conceptual Metaphor
CRITICISM IS NOISE (loud, jarring, unwanted sound represents disapproval).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not to be confused with 'кошачий зов' (call of a cat). The Russian 'освистывать' or 'кричать' in a hostile context are closer equivalents.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing it with a simple 'call' or 'whistle'. Using it in a positive context (it is always negative).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'catcall' MOST appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, its original and still valid use is for any loud shout or whistle of disapproval, especially in a theatre. However, its most frequent contemporary use is in the context of street harassment.
Yes, it is commonly used as both a noun ('she heard a catcall') and a verb ('they catcalled her').
'Heckle' is more interactive and argumentative, often involving interrupting a speaker with challenging questions or insults. 'Catcall' is more about making loud, often simple noises (whistles, shouts) of disapproval or sexual suggestion without necessarily engaging in dialogue.
No, 'catcall' inherently carries a negative connotation of mockery, disapproval, or harassment. A whistle of approval would be just a 'whistle' or 'wolf-whistle' (though the latter can also be problematic).