Word of the Day: GOSSIP

Pronunciation: UK /ˈɡɒsɪp/ US /ˈɡɑːsɪp/

Meaning

'Gossip' refers to informal talk or rumours about other people's private lives, especially when the information may not be confirmed or may not be true. It can also describe a person who enjoys talking about other people's affairs.

As a verb, gossip means to talk about other people and their personal lives, often when they are not present.

Examples for daily usage

  • The office was full of gossip about the new manager.
  • She does not enjoy spreading gossip about her friends.
  • They spent the afternoon gossiping about what had happened at the party.

Origin and history

The word gossip has a surprisingly different origin from its modern meaning. It comes from the Old English ‘godsibb’, formed from ‘god’ and ‘sibb’, meaning a relative or close relation. A ‘godsibb’ was originally a person who stood as a godparent at a child's baptism.

Over time, the meaning shifted. By the Middle English period, gossip could refer to a close friend or companion, particularly a woman invited to attend a birth. The word was eventually used for a person who spent time chatting and socialising, and by the 16th century it had developed its familiar association with idle talk about other people. 

By the 19th century, gossip was firmly established as a term for rumours or personal information shared about other people.

Also Read: Word of the Day, August 29: ‘Guache’ 

Cultural significance and modern usage

Gossip is not a new feature of modern life. People have been sharing stories and rumours about one another for centuries, whether around a village gathering, at a workplace or within a family.

Today, gossip has taken on an even larger life through newspapers, celebrity culture and social media. A rumour can travel from one person to millions within minutes, making the difference between private conversation and public information increasingly blurred.

The word is usually negative when it refers to spreading unverified or personal information. However, gossip can also simply mean casual conversation about other people, depending on the context.

The related phrase “gossip column” refers to a newspaper or magazine section traditionally devoted to rumours and news about celebrities and public figures.

Interesting facts

Gossip originally had nothing to do with rumours.

It comes from Old English godsibb, meaning a godparent or baptismal sponsor. 

The word later came to refer to a close companion and then to a person who enjoyed talking socially. 

Its meaning eventually shifted towards talk about other people's private affairs.

Gossip can be used as both a noun and a verb.

Examples from literature

  • “I have no gossip to offer you.” — Jane Austen, Emma
  • “The gossip of the town...” — Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
  • “The gossip of the neighbourhood...” — Charles Dickens, Bleak House

Synonyms

  • Rumour
  • Scuttlebutt
  • Tittle-tattle
  • Chatter
  • Hearsay
  • Idle talk

Antonyms

  • Silence
  • Secrecy
  • Confidentiality
  • Discretion
  • Privacy
  • Truth

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