gossip

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | 1996 | 371 words | Copyright

gossip †sponsor at baptism OE.; †familiar acquaintance XIV; idle talker, tattler XVI; (from the vb.) tittle-tattle, easy talk XIX. Late OE. godsibb, corr. to ON. guðsefi godfather, guðsifja godmother, comp. of GOD and SIB denoting the spiritual affinity of the baptized and their sponsors.
Hence gossip vb. be or act as gossip XVI; talk idly XVII.

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T. F. HOAD. "gossip." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "gossip." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-gossip.html

T. F. HOAD. "gossip." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-gossip.html

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