Literal Translation
To have whistling/ringing ears
Actual Meaning
Burning ears? To know you’re being talked about
Etymology
The expression first appeared in the 15th century as “avoir les oreilles qui cornent” (to have ears that ring), then evolved into “avoir les oreilles qui sifflent” (to have ears that whistle).
According to experts, references to “whistling ears” date back to ancient times.
In those days, popular belief held that when our left ear whistles, someone is saying good things about us, but when our right ear whistles, the opposite is true. On the other hand, as if it were possible to perceive the thoughts of others through electromagnetic waves, another old belief held that a whistling right ear signified jealousy and a whistling left ear signified imminent danger.