tittle-tattle

American  

[tit-l-tat-l] / ˈtɪt lˌtæt l /

noun

1. gossip or foolish chatter.

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verb (used without object)

tittle-tattled, tittle-tattling

1. to gossip or chatter.

tittle-tattle British  

noun

1. idle chat or gossip

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verb

1. (intr) to chatter or gossip

Other Word Forms

• tittle-tattler noun

Etymology

Origin of tittle-tattle

First recorded in 1520–30; gradational compound based on tittle to whisper, gossip

Explanation

School children often engage in tittle-tattle about their classmates, sharing rumors and gossip while socializing during lunch and recess. Tittle-tattle refers to light gossip or idle chatter. It can be used as a noun to describe the content of the gossip, and it can be used as a verb to describe the act of engaging in it. While usually harmless, too much tittle-tattle can sometimes lead to misunderstandings or the spread of minor rumors.

Example Sentences

In slightly more edifying transfer tittle-tattle, Tottenham Hotspur are so concerned about losing Christian Eriksen to one of Europe’s elite clubs they’ve offered to more than double his weekly wages from £80,000 to £200,000.

From The Guardian • Aug. 13, 2019

The tip-offs included "gossip" and "tittle-tattle" about Princes William and Harry, the Old Bailey heard.

From BBC • Jan. 7, 2015

The gossip columns have a field day and can't believe their luck that such a rich seam of tittle-tattle is laid out on a platter for them.

From BBC • Dec. 18, 2014

It was hard to take a news holiday, over Thanksgiving, what with the protests in Ferguson, the live updates, the streaming commentary, the instant video, the on-the-spot reporting, and the tittle-tattle of Twitter.

From The New Yorker • Dec. 3, 2014

I couldn’t afford to be the topic of neighborhood tittle-tattle.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu