scuttlebutt
Americannoun
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Nautical.
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an open cask of drinking water.
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a drinking fountain for use by the crew of a vessel.
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Informal. rumor or gossip.
noun
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a drinking fountain
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(formerly) a cask of drinking water aboard a ship
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slang rumour or gossip
Etymology
Origin of scuttlebutt
1795–1805; 1900–05 scuttlebutt for def. 2; scuttle 1 + butt 4
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Industry scuttlebutt from alternative data provider Heron Intelligence points to a different competitor: YouTube.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026
I’ve heard scuttlebutt from the donor community, some of whom are reportedly miffed to have their microscopically printed names out of circulation.
From Washington Post ● Jul. 23, 2022
Experts — agreeing with scuttlebutt in the streets — say the country can’t afford to buy all the diesel it needs and what it has is being directed to generate power.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 16, 2022
I don’t know, and neither does “Tiger King,” which is more exploitative than investigative: scuttlebutt on steroids with a dose of testosterone.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 16, 2021
The scuttlebutt was that the trains was running on regular routes in the morning.
From "Life Is So Good" by George Dawson
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
