scuttlebutt
[skuht-l-buht]
- Nautical.
- an open cask of drinking water.
- a drinking fountain for use by the crew of a vessel.
- Informal. rumor or gossip.
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Origin of scuttlebutt
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for scuttlebutt
Contemporary Examples
That brought a response from John Rutledge, who ran a Florida-based newsletter, The Scuttlebutt.
Rutledge ran a story in The Scuttlebutt, and Patsy got a phone call from man saying he was her sailor.
Historical Examples
And you had no information direct or indirect of any kind or character, scuttlebutt, hearsay or otherwise, up to that moment?
Warren Commission (1 of 26): Hearings Vol. I (of 15)The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy
"Just understand that I don't give a hoot in a scuttlebutt if you do turn me over to the police," pursued the man.
Blow The Man DownHolman Day
Every now and again one or another of them, choked with the dust, went to get a draft of lukewarm water from the scuttlebutt.
A Master of FortuneCutcliffe Hyne
Did there come to your attention any scuttlebutt among employees as to any past history of his?
Warren Commission (10 of 26): Hearings Vol. X (of 15)The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy
Was there any scuttlebutt around the camp in that regard with respect to him?
Warren Commission (11 of 26): Hearings Vol. XI (of 15)The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy
scuttlebutt
- a drinking fountain
- (formerly) a cask of drinking water aboard a ship
- mainly US slang rumour or gossip
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Word Origin
C19: from scuttle ³ + butt 4
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for scuttlebutt
n.
1805, "cask of drinking water kept on a ship's deck, having a hole (scuttle) cut in it for a cup or dipper," from scuttle "opening in a ship's deck" (see scuttle (v.2)) + butt (n.2) "barrel." Earlier scuttle cask (1777). Meaning "rumor, gossip" first recorded 1901, originally nautical slang, traditionally said to be from the sailors' custom of gathering around the scuttlebutt to gossip. Cf. water-cooler, figurative for "workplace gossip" mid-20c.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper