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gossip :- from kinship term to chitchatting verb

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January 14, 2007, 10:09
zmježd
gossip :- from kinship term to chitchatting verb
Gossip :- from Middle English godsib 'gossip, godparent' from Old English godsibb from god 'god' + sibb 'kinsman' (cf. sibling from sibb + -ling dim. suffix).


Ceci n'est pas un seing.
January 14, 2007, 12:04
Seanahan
That's a fun etymology, thanks.
January 15, 2007, 09:41
<wordnerd>
Betcha it would be interesting to trace how the word evolved from its original meaning to its current one. I recall seeing, but cannot now find, something of the sort. As I recall, it was something like this:

  • godparent; led to
  • close, confidential associate; led to
  • the conversation of intimate sharing between such associates; led to
  • loose idle talk.
  • January 15, 2007, 21:05
    Kalleh
    We did discuss this earlier here. I remember how surprised I was with the etymology of that word.