"Whistle While You Work" Quotes

Context

This line is from the song "Whistle While You Work," sung by Snow White, from the movie Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937).

No one really likes housework…except the nicest, most positive lady in all the land. Snow White can not only make cleaning fun but charms woodland creatures to help her. Cleaning wouldn't be so bad if you had some friendly squirrels and birds helping you, huh?

Even though she had to run for her life since her stepmother wanted to kill her and ended up in a random house in the woods that belonged to seven dwarfs, Snow White makes the best of the situation, whistling while she cleans a really gross house. Now that's making the best of a situation.

Where you've heard it

It's an oft-printed phrase on motivational posters and T-shirts. Plus, your mom has probably said it to you right after suggesting you clean your room.

Additional Notable References:

• While the original Grimms' tale didn't really discuss Snow White's penchant for singing and cleaning, Disney's spin on Snow White changed the game not only for movies, but for music. The soundtrack was the first EVER to be released with a movie.
• The song has been reworked by artists like Katy Tiz and the Ying Yang Twins, who changed "work" to "twerk."

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

There's nothing wrong with being upbeat while doing something you don't want to do, like cleaning. If you can't whistle, you can always hum a tune.