Cats, geese and snakes hiss, and angry audiences hiss to make their feelings known. How is it that this 鈥渓anguage鈥� is common to such diverse creatures, as well as to those who understand the warning?
Gerald Legg
Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex, UK
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Hissing has several uses. It is a method of communication when responding to fear or stress and is also a way to attract attention. In the animal world, it is often used as a warning to predators or unwanted suitors.
Humans have several forms of hiss: long and drawn out, expressing disapproval; short and sharp, rising in frequency and almost finishing with 鈥渢鈥�, used to attract attention. While living in Sierra Leone, my wife and I found that people often used a short, sharp hiss to attract attention, especially in the markets. It was very effective and, to this day, I use it when I want to get my wife鈥檚 attention in a store or other public, noisy place.
Hissing is also common in other cultures. In Korean culture, for instance, the 鈥渟sup鈥� sound 鈥� made by drawing air inwards along the tongue 鈥� is used a lot. A 2022 paper, , found this sound is more commonly used when addressing people who are social superiors, such as elders, and often occurs at trouble spots in conversations.
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