scuttlebutt

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   Originally (now chiefly historical), a cask with a hole cut into its top, used to provide…

   Originally (now chiefly historical), a cask with a hole cut into its top, used to provide drinking water on board a ship; now (by extension, informal), a drinking fountain on a modern ship.

   • In this way, with an occasional break by relieving the wheel, heaving the log, and going to the scuttle-butt for a drink of water, the longest watch was passed away; […]
2. 2

   Gossip, idle chatter

   Gossip, idle chatter; also, rumour.

   • His resolve not to worry about unfounded scuttlebutt lasted about two minutes.
3. 3

   To spread (information) by way of gossip or rumour.

   • [B]ased on information coming back to the community after the initial review at the regional level, a concern that there was someone or some entity at the regional office that—who had a purposeful intent of scuttlebutting the Summit sale.
   • Despite my sister's story, I am pretty sure they would have dismissed the bride story as so much malarkey scuttlebutted about by the town "talkers."
4. ›+ 1 more definitionshow fewer

   1. 4

      To chat idly or gossip

      To chat idly or gossip; also, to spread rumours.

      • Could that picture (of the water skiier taking a spill in the April issue) possibly be the latest development in the "one man helicopter" which is currently scuttlebutting around the aviation underground?
      • Isn't it scuttlebutted and kicked around that if Litton is successful that it will use its yard down at Pascagula, Miss.? Isn't that generally understood between you two gentlemen?

The neighborhood

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