I’m reading a novel called “gossip” by Beth Gutcheon. I’m always pleased and surprised when I find the origins of a word are not what I expected. From the book, p. 18:
“Did you know that the origin of the word gossip in English is “god-sibling?” It’s the talk between people who are godparents to the same child, people who have a legitimate loving interest in the person they talk about. It’s talk that weaves a net of support and connection beneath the people you want to protect.”
That’s a far cry from the usual understanding of the word as “trifling talk, groundless rumor” or “to talk idly about the affairs of others.”
<The full etymology of the term “gossip” can be found here.>
Whodathunkit?
