scuttlebutt

American  

[skuht-l-buht] / ˈskʌt lˌbʌt /

noun

1. Nautical.

   1. an open cask of drinking water.

   2. a drinking fountain for use by the crew of a vessel.

2. Informal.  rumor or gossip.

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scuttlebutt British  

/ ˈskʌtəlˌbʌt /

noun

1. a drinking fountain

2. (formerly) a cask of drinking water aboard a ship

3. slang  rumour or gossip

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Etymology

Origin of scuttlebutt

1795–1805; 1900–05 scuttlebutt for def. 2; scuttle ¹ + butt ⁴

Example Sentences

“I think other people probably reported to him and then of course he let me know, ‘Hey, this is the scuttlebutt,’” Villanueva told investigators, according to a transcript of the interview.

From Los Angeles Times

To the millions who greedily gobbled up scuttlebutt about her legendary meanness over the years, this is far from a news flash.

From Salon

The scuttlebutt is all doom and gloom, following the nature of this streaky team — when they’re on, they can carve their way through a month of the schedule without a regulation loss.

From Seattle Times

The show paired the expected scuttlebutt around marriage matches, clandestine rendezvous and heartbreak with a modernist take on the elite set of 19th century England.

From Los Angeles Times

The leaguewide scuttlebutt was whether the Packers would blow up their roster after what was clearly a lost season and part ways with Aaron Rodgers.

From Seattle Times