I’ve noticed that a lot of men who whistle (musically) wink while they’re doing it. Whistling. The guy in that air conditioner commercial, Jon (a guy I used to work with, a country singer who’s name I can’t remember (I think he was often on the Lawrence Welk Show), and some others.
Maybe there’s a connection. Where’s my tin foil.
I’d say it’s one of the few things you can do with your face that can only be seen from one side and can therefore be conveyed secretly.
It’s a secret signal that can be perceived differently depending on the situation…
Think of it as a smirk in a sense…