gos·sip /ˈgɒsəp/ Show Spelled [gos-uhp] Show IPA noun, verb, gos·siped or gos·sipped, gos·sip·ing or gos·sip·ping.
noun
1. idle talk or rumor, especially about the personal or private affairs of others: the endless gossip about Hollywood stars.
2. light, familiar talk or writing.
3. Also, gos·sip·er, gos·sip·per. a person given to tattling or idle talk.
4. Chiefly British Dialect . a godparent.
5. Archaic . a friend, especially a woman.
murmurings, speculations, hearsay that's likely to be spiced with half truths and biases. I've always hated gossip of any sort (especially those about myself of course) and the act of gossipping. It was to me, a reflection of lack of consideration for others, as well as a lack of class. Yet it was altogether impossible to remain gossip-free, because people talk about you all the time, even if you pass away. I've a colleague who had mentioned his deceased ex-boss and his deeds at least three times in the past six months. Every time I hear him recount the same story I cringed inwardly and made a mental note of how pointless it was for me to hear stories about someone I've never and would never meet in my life. pointless. perhaps in the old old old ancient era where storytelling was the only form of entertainment and excitement to the imagination, there was some moral value. Now, it just seems like regurgitation of some textbook material in an obscure subject.yawn.
But I cannot stop the tide of indignance rising in my chest whenever I hear some form of gossip or speculation about my personal life. Why should I respond to your query of my job status and give you fodder for teatime gossip and speculation of why, when and how? Whoever who had passed on that inkling of news to you had nothing better to do but I do. It takes all of my willpower to remain amicably silent. If I were in a more self-righteous mode I would have given you a piece of my mind about owning my privacy.