Need another word for Scuttlebutt? Use these synonyms of Scuttlebutt from our thesaurus to say it differently.
Synonyms & Similar Words
rumor
gossip
hearsay
news
tidings
intelligence
information
report
story
tale
chatter
chat
talk
discussion
speculation
conjecture
surmise
guess
suspicion
whisper
murmur
hum
buzz
rumor mill
grapevine
word of mouth
scuttle
tattle
blab
prattle
babble
idle talk
loose talk
small talk
rumor spreading
rumor mongering
gossiping
chattering
chatting
talking
discussing
speculating
conjecturing
surmising
guessing
suspecting
whispering
murmuring
humming
buzzing
Meaning of Scuttlebutt
The primary meaning of the word "scuttlebutt" refers to a rumor or a piece of gossip, especially one that is spread through a group of people.
Definitions
- A rumor or piece of gossip, especially one that is spread through a group of people
- * A cask on a ship used to hold drinking water, from which the term for rumor or gossip is derived, as sailors would gather around it to talk and share news
Etymology of Scuttlebutt
The word "scuttlebutt" originates from the nautical term for a cask used to hold drinking water on a ship, which was called a "scuttlebutt" because it had a hole (scuttle) cut in it to make it easier to fill and empty
Over time, the term came to be used for the rumors and gossip that sailors would share while gathered around the cask
Example Uses
- The latest scuttlebutt is that the company is going to be sold to a new owner
- * There's a lot of scuttlebutt going around about the new policy, but nobody knows what's really going on
- * The scuttlebutt around the office is that the boss is leaving at the end of the month