Rhubarb, or the sound of crowds

[Alexius]

So in English theatre/films, certainly in the UK, when the sound of a large group of people chattering needs to be heard in the background the actors will say "rhubarb, rhubarb, rhubarb". In Greek, the equivalent is λουκάνικο (loukaniko), which means "sausage".

Does anyone know what the equivalent words or phrases used for this in other languages are?

[mathmannix]

We (in high school theatre in the US) always said "watermelon watermelon watermelon". A little internet browsing shows "cantaloupe" is thrown in there sometimes too.

Here is a Wikipedia article on the phenomenon.

[tarascon]

*Mutters "natter, grommish" and hopes that the entire fora follows suit.

[suriya]

In German we also mutter " Rhabarber, Rhabarber" (=rhubarb), I was told in my theatre group at school.