Pipe Down - meaning, origin and use of 'pipe down' in sentences

Meaning of pipe down:

'Pipe Down' is an informal expression and a term that originated from America which means reduce or lower the volume, make less noise, etc.

Origin of pipe down:

A boatswain's pipe or whistle

Pipe down is a sound signal that comes from a boatswain's pipe (a whistle in the form of a pipe). A boatswain (pronounced as bo-sen) is an officer who is in charge of the entire ship, crew and equipment. He blows this whistle with different sound modulations to signal the crew on the ship for various commands. 'Piping down the hammocks' is one of the signals, that the boatswain uses to let the sailors know that it's time for them to stop working and go to bed. Upon hearing this signal, the sailors will immediately start lowering their hammocks (a bed made of canvas or rope mesh, that hangs in the air with supports at both ends) from the pipes and prepare for sleep resulting in complete silence on the ship.

A sailor is sleeping on a hammock

Use of 'pipe down' in example sentences:

1. My friend asked me to pipe down when I was shouting like a stupid for no reason.

2. Will you please pipe down, my ears are bleeding!

3. I wish the library displayed a banner that says Pipe Down, I can't read a book at peace.

4. The audience was in no mood to pipe down seeing Roger Federer lifting his Wimbledon trophy for an unprecedented 8th time.

5. Dude, pipe down! I am not deaf.