English

dog whistle

Noun

dog whistle ‎(plural dog whistles)

1. A high-pitched whistle, inaudible to humans, used to train dogs.
2. That which is understood only by a narrow demographic.
   • 22 March 2012, Scott Tobias, AV Club Cabin Boy

     But like a lot of these cult comedies, Cabin Boy was a dog whistle few could hear, and critics and audiences dismissed it quickly and forcefully: It left theaters with grosses south of $4 million and earned Elliott a “Worst New Star” Razzie nomination, no doubt for the adenoidal voice common to all fancy lads.

3. (politics) Especially, an allusion or comment made by a politician with the intent that only a certain demographic note it and recognize its significance.

Synonyms

• (high-pitched whistle): silent whistle, Galton's whistle

Derived terms

• dog-whistle politics
• dog-whistling