Scuttlebutt

Pronunciation: /ˈskʌtəlˌbʌt/

Definitions of scuttlebutt

noun rumors or gossip

Example Sentences

A1 The scuttlebutt at school is that there will be a surprise test tomorrow.

A2 I heard some scuttlebutt about a possible promotion at work.

B1 The scuttlebutt in the neighborhood is that a new family is moving in next door.

B2 The scuttlebutt among the team members is that there may be layoffs coming soon.

C1 The scuttlebutt in the industry is that a major merger is in the works.

C2 The scuttlebutt among high-level executives is that there will be a restructuring of the company.

Examples of scuttlebutt in a Sentence

formal The scuttlebutt around the office is that there may be layoffs coming soon.

informal Have you heard the scuttlebutt about Sarah and Tom dating?

slang I can't believe the scuttlebutt I heard about that party last weekend!

figurative The scuttlebutt of gossip spread like wildfire through the small town.

Grammatical Forms of scuttlebutt

• past tense: scuttlebutted
• plural: scuttlebutts
• comparative: more scuttlebutt
• superlative: most scuttlebutt
• present tense: scuttlebutts
• future tense: will scuttlebutt
• perfect tense: have scuttlebutted
• continuous tense: is scuttlebutting
• singular: scuttlebutt
• positive degree: scuttlebutt
• infinitive: to scuttlebutt
• gerund: scuttlebutting
• participle: scuttlebutted

Origin and Evolution of scuttlebutt

First Known Use: 1801 year

Language of Origin: English

Story behind the word: The word 'scuttlebutt' originated from the nautical term 'scuttled butt', which referred to a cask or butt that had been 'scuttled' or punctured to allow sailors to access drinking water.

Evolution of the word: Over time, 'scuttlebutt' evolved from its original nautical meaning of a cask of drinking water to refer to rumors or gossip circulating among a group of people, likely due to the informal socializing that would occur around the water cask on ships.