noun
General Slang
Whistle And Flute
/ˌwɪs.əl ən ˈfluːt/ · noun · slang
Cockney rhyming slang for a suit — shortened to 'whistle'.
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Definitions
1
Smart, formal dress for an occasion.
“Everyone's in their finest whistle and flute for the wedding.”
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2
A suit of clothes. 'Whistle and flute' rhymes with 'suit', clipped to 'whistle'.
“Got my best whistle on for the interview, fingers crossed.”
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3
Used to comment on someone looking sharp or dressed up.
“Look at you in that whistle, who's the lucky lady?”
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Whistle And Flute In A Sentence
New whistle and flute for the court date, looking the part.
He turned up to a barbecue in a three-piece whistle, what a poser.
Dust off the old whistle, we've got a funeral on Friday.
Origin & Usage
East End London rhyming slang from the early 1900s, where 'whistle and flute' rhymes with 'suit'. Tailoring was a big East End trade, which kept clothing slang alive.
Variants
whistle
People Also Ask
What does whistle and flute mean?
It's Cockney rhyming slang for a suit. 'Flute' rhymes with 'suit', shortened to 'whistle'.
What does 'nice whistle' mean?
It means nice suit. 'Whistle' is the clipped form of 'whistle and flute', the rhyming slang for suit.
Why is a suit called a whistle?
Because 'whistle and flute' rhymes with 'suit', and Cockney slang drops the rhyme to leave just 'whistle'.
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