whittle the whalebone
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To masturbate.
Register: slang, vulgar
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Both “whittling the whalebone” and “polishing the pearl” are so ingrained in our DNA that infants have been known to handle their business long before it's open for business.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “whittle the whalebone” mean?
To masturbate.
Is “whittle the whalebone” formal or informal?
whittle the whalebone is generally slang, vulgar.