Gossip

The word gossip may refer to:

Etymology

The word "gossip" originates from god-sib, the godparent of one's child or parent of one's godchildren ("god-sibling"), referring to a relationship of close friendship. The Oxford English Dictionary traces the usage of godsib back as far as 1014.

Related Topics:
Godparent - Oxford English Dictionary

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One story (probably apocryphal) tells how, at the beginning of the 20th century, politicians would send assistants to bars to sit and listen to general public conversations. The assistants had instructions to sip a beer and listen to opinions; they responded to the command to "go sip", which allegedly turned into "gossip".

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(Note that the Oxford English Dictionary traces the use of gossip in the meaning of "idle talk; trifling or groundless rumour; tittle-tattle ... asy, unrestrained talk or writing, esp. about persons or social incidents" back as far as 1811; and the verb to gossip as far back as the early 17th century.)

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