Obs. One who sits idly whistling on a bench: a term of reproach.
1542. Boorde, Dyetary, viii. 245. Fye on the benche-whystler, wylt thou sterte away nowe?
1607. Chapman, All Fooles, Plays (1873), I. 137. Y’are but bench-whistlers now a dayes to them that were in our times.
1618. Hornby, Sco. Drunk. (1859), 17. He that will not drinke off his whole scowre Is a bench-whistler.
