'Gossip' had godly origins. Here's how it gained its sinful reputation
The word 'gossip' has evolved from its Old English roots as a term for godparents to a modern, often gendered, pejorative. Historians note that this shift reflects historical societal efforts to marginalize women's social spaces.
Why it matters
Understanding the etymology of 'gossip' provides insight into how language reflects and reinforces historical gender biases.
In the leadup to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's New York City wedding, the rumor mill went into overdrive.
In the absence of any concrete confirmation from the couple's team, rumors and gossip about the details – what the couple wore or whether her cats walked her down the aisle – became endless fodder for TikTok and the nightly news.
The real details are only really known by the couple and their guests. The rest of us are left only with gossip.
So, as part of NPR's "Word of the Week" series and as a gift to the newlyweds, we're looking into the origins of the word "gossip."
Gossip's roots go back to Old English, according to Jess Zafarris, author of several books on etymology including Useless Etymology: Offbeat Word Origins for Curious Minds. It stems from the old word, "godsibb," meaning "sponsor or godparent."
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