jugglerman, wanna take a whack at the origins of this phrase?  I'm
mainly curious if its meaning has evolved over time.

haven't had a chance to read your "wherewithal" answer yet because
granny's been under siege at work lately.  I'll give ya a shout out in
a few days, okay?

thanks!
GB

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Request for Question Clarification by juggler-ga on 15 Jan 2003 12:05 PST

Greetings Granny,
Thanks for the groovy question!

Granny will find one theory in this Usenet thread: 
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&client=googlet&threadm=7qek41%247vl%241%40eeyore.ymp.gov&rnum=1&prev=/groups%3Fhl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DISO-8859-1%26client%3Dgooglet%26q%3D%2522whistling%2Bpast%2Bthe%2Bgraveyard%2522%2Bphrase%2Borigin%26btnG%3DGoogle%2BSearch

Nose is to the grindstone... I'll keep you posted.
-juggler

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Clarification of Question by badabing-ga on 15 Jan 2003 12:27 PST

well, it's good to know granny's not the only one who's interested in
this phrase.  it was used in a literal context about a man who is in
hospice; however, looking around the internet, the phrase seems to be
used also for optimistic thinking rather than anything to do
specifically with graves or death.

I imagine this question will take some "digging" so sandwich it in
between some high dollar questions, okay?  I'm in no rush for an
answer.  If you can't find anything on the evolution or origin, just
post what you *can* find out about this phrase.

and no nose to the grindstone, boy-o.  we don't want you lookin' like
jack-o.
granny's very grateful for your $50 answers to her $3 questions!

talk to ya later...

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Request for Question Clarification by juggler-ga on 29 Jan 2003 12:57 PST

Granny,
Just wanted to let you know that I dropped by a local university
library that has a good reference collection. I checked a half-dozen
or so phrase/slang dictionaries. Unfortunately, I came up with nothing
worthwhile regarding the origins of this phrase. As such, perhaps
Granny might consider closing this question and reposting it as
general inquiry to the group. Maybe another researcher will succeed
where I have not. Sorry, Gran, but thanks again for requesting me.
Later,
j

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Clarification of Question by badabing-ga on 14 Feb 2003 09:15 PST

just say boo in the answer and claim some gas money at least.  shout
out to webhero and to Mr. Tower for his lovely comment about Tom
Waits.  not a fan of the man's voice but he does turn an interesting
lyric.

thanks all for attempting this puzzle!
GB

Not a real comment - just wanted to say "Hi Granny!!!!". 

websearcher-ga

right backatcha, webhero!  granny's trying to figure out who likes
what types of questions so she can direct them according to your
interest level.  you, jugglerman, and that pinkfreud dame seem to like
*everthing.*  you know you're always one of granny's favorites!

smooches,
GB

Hi Gran,

The negative image is of someone nervously whistling as they pass a
graveyard, as if in the hope of escaping death.

The positive image is of someone cheerfully, even defiantly, whistling
as they pass the graveyard. This is the one that fits with the chorus
of the 1978 Tom Waits song "Whistlin Past The Graveyard".

Here's that chorus:

   Whistlin' past the graveyard
   Steppin' on a crack
   A mean motherhubbard Papa one eyed jack

The full lyrics are here:
http://www.ripcat.free-online.co.uk/waitshtml/whistlinpastthegraveyardbclyrics.htm

Whistling past the graveyard and stepping on the crack are both
defiant gestures (the latter is from the children's game where you
"die" if you step on the crack between the paving stones).

Regards,
eiffel