klatsch

American  

[klahch, klach] / klɑtʃ, klætʃ /

Or klatch

noun

1. a casual gathering of people, especially for refreshments and informal conversation.

   a sewing klatsch.

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Etymology

Origin of klatsch

First recorded in 1950–55, klatsch is from the German word Klatsch chitchat, gossip

Explanation

A klatsch is a gossipy get-together. Your grandparents might tell you about their weekly coffee klatsch at a local diner, where they chat with friends over cups of decaf. The German Klatsch means "gossip" and is thought to be imitative, based on the chattering sound of gossiping voices. Any casual gathering that's focused on gossiping or catching up on the latest news can be described as a klatsch or a klatch. These events are closely associated with drinking coffee — and there's a word in German for that, too: kaffeeklatsch.

Example Sentences

At times, it didn’t seem like Bannon wanted to be part of the Trump klatsch at all.

From Time • Aug. 18, 2017

This wasn’t a circus; it was a klatsch.

From Time • Sep. 15, 2016

Passers-by, however, barely glanced inside at the high-powered coffee klatsch, which Mr. Greenberg compared to Art Kane's classic 1958 portrait of jazz musicians in Harlem, though he confessed he didn't recognize anyone in the room.

From New York Times • Nov. 20, 2012

As for the other two members of the Kennedy klatsch, their politics are harder to discern.

From Reuters • Jun. 14, 2012

The kaffee klatsch is an afternoon affair where ladies meet and chat as they sew and are served a luncheon of German dishes—cold meats, salads, coffee-cake, pickles, coffee, etc.

From Breakfasts and Teas Novel Suggestions for Social Occasions by Pierce, Paul