Emergency vehicle sirens

[Nero]

Anyone know when, why and on whose behest police, fire and ambulance vehicles' sirens went from 'nee-naw, nee-naw' to the American 'woo-woo-woo-woo'? I would like to know. Nero

[Asset]

Years ago - but you do still hear some nee naws so who knows what logic lies behind it (if any)

[ruthmct]

I remember first hearing the woo-woo when I was a first year university student in Cardiff in 1973. It sounded like an alien spacecraft landing!

If you really want to go back in history, when did they change from bells to nee-naws?

Ruth

[Nero]

The main thing about this is not the when but the WHY. It seems such a random thing to do. Who was the person and what was their reasoning. It's perplexed me for ages and ages. But I am NOT going to give in and write to the Daily Hell which has a page for questions like these. And another thing, when was the last surname invented. What was it? Whose was it? Hmmmm. Nero

[SimonM]

<<

My guess would be "Windsor", formerly "Saxe-Coburg-Gotha".....and who could blame them for the new coinage?