Including each word with and without spaces, “penny whistle” or “pennywhistle” dukes it out with “tin whistle” or “tinwhistle.” Try to guess the outcome before watching the carnage: Fight!
Do people that play high end whistles use either term? Or is it just whistle when the question is answered? Certainly a modern PVC instrument doesn’t fit tinwhistle, and pennywhistle is a real stretch for those that cost over $100.
The debate is still open about whether the 1843 Clarke’s sold for an English penny or it was busker’s receiving pennies that coined the name. I tend towards the former, because an English penny had buying power back then. There were also halfpennies and farthings.
- Bill
My nephew used to collect old coins when he was about six years old.
One day,whilst showing me his collection,he proudly announced “This one’s a FART -hing”!!! 
I lean toward whistle, but I’m far to the left on most issues and tend to avoid (or at least pretent to avoid) crass sterotyping and class labels denoting one’s economic status or metalurgical heritage.
Wow. That’s a remarkably close googlefight!
Dale
I’ve always liked ‘tin whistle’ better, but I use ‘penny whistle’ because more people I know seem to understand that :roll:
Irish whistle, or Irishwhistle? Tin brass penny whistle. Why this could go on and on.
Simple fipple flute.
KFG
I usually just say “whistle.”
I say whistle as well.
same here
I should probably add that I do in fact pronounce the “h” in “whistle”, because I speak proper English. 
I usually say “whistle” or “tinwhistle.” It seems like people who say “pennywhistle” are usually talking about playing it for non-Irish music, so I avoid that one.
Justine
Danged hillbilly!!! 
I like “Irish whistle”. It let’s me avoid all the “tin” and “penny” disclaimers when speaking to my un-hip friends.
I say just whistle, but this is a bit inaccurate since the instrument is not just a “whistle”. Then I like to use the old european name “flageolet”, but nobody knows what I’m talking about, maybe it’s too old fashioned.
I always describe mine as ‘Irish’ whistles..even though I know full well that Ireland does not have exclusive claim to them…but it suits me and reflects my love for Irish traditional music.Les.
I prefer to say Irish whistle. But when scanning Ebay to see them all I must use every term said here. OK, what is a flageolet? Could be a fennel and bean saled. Or would it be a carrot and bean salad? Maybe both are correct?
I still advocate Lark’s old suggestion: coolmaphone</a](http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php?t=17029&highlight=coolmaphone">coolmaphone</a)>
About a week ago I heard an interview with Danu on BBC’s World Service. A couple of guys in the band said they played flute. The word whistle wasn’t mentioned. The very next day someone asked me what I played. When I said “Whistle” they laughted. The guys in Danu probably tailored their answer for a US audience. In future I’ll answer “percusssion and woodwind”.
(Percusssion, by the way, is Djembe…not the dreaded bodhran)
I prefer Fipple Flute - LOL