Referee whistles have been a standard tool in organised sport for well over a century, used by officials to control play, signal fouls and mark the start and finish of matches. Their sound is instantly understood even by people who do not follow a particular game, which is why editors borrow it for comedy and commentary as well as sports highlights. Online, the short blast works as a quick audio punchline, cutting through a scene to suggest authority, a penalty or a timeout, and it remains popular because that meaning needs no explanation.