Gossip also had a godparent senseSourced
Not region-specific · English meaning
An old meaning is far removed from idle rumours
English gossip can refer to rumours or someone discussing other people’s private affairs. Wiktionary also records the historical meaning godparent. Its etymology traces the word through Middle English to Old English godsibb, a godparent or sponsor.
An old text may be naming a relationship, not accusing someone of rumour-spreading.
Summary / translation: Unbubly · CC BY-SA 4.0
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gossip · Wikimedia contributors
Adapted, summarized and translated from the source. Adapted text is also available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Reviewed: 2026-10-10