Gossip
AI In plain words
Writing a short explanation…
Written by a house AI from the entry below, in your language. The entry itself is the source.
gossip¹
- /ˈɡɒsɪp/ UK
- /ˈɡɑsɪp/ Atlantic Canada, US
- /ˈɡɑsəp/ Atlantic Canada, US
- /ˈɡɒsɪp/ Canada, dialectal
- /ˈɡɔsɪp/ Australia
- [ˈɡɔ̟səp] New Zealand
Where it comes from
From Middle English godsybbe, godsib (“a close friend or relation, a confidant; a godparent”), from Old English godsibb (“godparent, sponsor”), equivalent to god + sib. Doublet of godsib. For sense evolution to "gossip, discussing others' personal affairs," compare French commérage.
noun gossips
- Someone who likes to talk about other people's private or personal business. Be careful what you say to him: he’s a bit of a gossip.
- Idle talk about someone’s private or personal matters, especially about someone not present. According to the latest gossip, their relationship is on the rocks.
- Idle conversation in general. The parlor was always bright and attractive, the chessboard ready, the piano in tune, plenty of gay gossip, and a nice little supper set forth in tempting style.
- A genre in contemporary media, usually focused on the personal affairs of celebrities. a gossip columnist
- Communication done using a gossip protocol.
- A sponsor; a godfather or godmother; the godparent of one's child or godchild, or the parent of one's godchild. ’tis not a maid, for she hath had gossips [i.e. she could not be a virgin, because she has children with godparents]
- A familiar acquaintance. My noble gossips, ye have been too prodigal: I thank ye heartily;
- Title used with the name of one's child's godparent or of a friend. What, ho, gossip Ford! what, ho!
verb gossips · gossiping · gossipping · gossiped · gossipped
- To talk about someone else's private or personal business, especially in a manner that spreads the information. This Place then is no other than the Chandler’s Shop; the known Seat of all the News; or, as it is vulgarly called, Gossiping, in every Parish in England.
- To talk idly. […] on seats beneath the trees, the old men group of an evening to drink their ale and gossip over village politics;
- To stand godfather to; to provide godparents for. […] a world Of pretty, fond, adoptious christendoms [i.e. Christian names], That blinking Cupid gossips.
- To enjoy oneself during festivities, to make merry. […] those baby eyes That never saw the giant world enraged; Nor met with fortune other than at feasts, Full of warm blood, of mirth, of gossiping.
- To communicate using a gossip protocol.
Similar: blab, cag, chelp, clepe, dish, dish the dirt, fetch and carry, gossip, jaunder, labrish, shoot the shit, talk
Gossip²
proper noun
- A surname.
