Where and When Did the Word "Scuttlebutt" Originate Generally Meaning Information About a Person or Thing Sometimes Gossipy?
The term "scuttlebutt" has a nautical origin. It refers to the cask or barrel placed on the deck of a ship where sailors could get drinking water. As sailors often gathered around this barrel to chat and exchange news, the term "scuttlebutt" gradually came to mean "gossip" or "rumor."
The earliest known use of the word "scuttlebutt" in this sense is from 1781, in a letter by American naval captain John Paul Jones. In the 19th century, the term became more widespread and was eventually adopted into general usage, where it is now commonly used to refer to any type of informal or unofficial information, often with a gossipy or speculative nature.
Related Questions
- What is the literal meaning of "scuttlebutt"? Scuttlebutt originally referred to a cask or barrel on a ship where sailors could get drinking water.
- When did the term "scuttlebutt" first appear in its figurative sense? The earliest known use of "scuttlebutt" as "gossip" is from 1781.
- Who is believed to have popularized the term "scuttlebutt"? American naval captain John Paul Jones is credited with popularizing the term.
- What type of information does "scuttlebutt" typically refer to? Scuttlebutt usually refers to informal or unofficial information, often with a gossipy or speculative nature.
- Is the term "scuttlebutt" always negative? No, scuttlebutt can be positive or negative, but it often has a negative connotation.
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