January 14, 2007, 10:09
zmježdgossip :- 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).
January 14, 2007, 12:04
SeanahanThat'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 toclose, confidential associate; led to the conversation of intimate sharing between such associates; led to loose idle talk.
January 15, 2007, 21:05
KallehWe did discuss this earlier
here. I remember how surprised I was with the etymology of that word.