Gossip - Functions of gossip

The word gossip may refer to: the act of spreading news from person to person, especially rumors or private information: see chat the news spread through the act of gossiping While gossip forms one of the oldest and (still) the most common means of spreading and sharing information, it also has a reputation for the introduction of errors and other variations into the information thus transmitted. The term also carries implications that the news so transmitted (usually) has a pers ...

Including:

• Gossip - Etymology
• Gossip - Functions of gossip
• Gossip - Enemies of gossip
• Gossip - Quotes
• Gossip - Bibliography

Read more here: » Gossip: Encyclopedia - Gossip

Gossip can serve to: normalise and re-inforce moral boundaries in a speech-community foster and build a sense of community with shared interests and information entertain and divert participants in gossip-sessions retail and develop stories and even legends: see memetics build structures of social accountability further mutual social grooming (like many other uses of language, only more so) reflect unvarnished and spontaneous public opinion - of interest to marketeer ...

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Gossip, Gossip - Etymology, Gossip - Functions of gossip, Gossip - Enemies of gossip, Gossip - Quotes, Gossip - Bibliography

Read more here: » Gossip: Encyclopedia II - Gossip - Functions of gossip

The word "gossip" originates from god-sib, the godparent of one's child or parent of one's godchildren ("god-sibling"), referring to a relationship of close friendship. The Oxford English Dictionary traces the usage of godsib back as far as 1014. One story (probably apocryphal) tells how, at the beginning of the 20th century, politicians would send assistants to bars to sit and listen to general public conversations. The assistants had instructions to sip a beer and listen to opinions; they responded to the command to "go sip", w ...

See also:

Gossip, Gossip - Etymology, Gossip - Functions of gossip, Gossip - Enemies of gossip, Gossip - Quotes, Gossip - Bibliography

Read more here: » Gossip: Encyclopedia II - Gossip - Etymology

Some see gossip as trivial, hurtful and socially and/or intellectually unproductive. In a more sinister interpretation, restrictions on gossip could potentially paralyse the free flow of information and enforce straight-jacketed thinking and censorship in a community. Compare freedom of speech. ...

See also:

Gossip, Gossip - Etymology, Gossip - Functions of gossip, Gossip - Enemies of gossip, Gossip - Quotes, Gossip - Bibliography

Read more here: » Gossip: Encyclopedia II - Gossip - Enemies of gossip