tattletale etymology

Etymology:

• Mid 16th century: from tattle (“to talk idly”) + -tale (“a story”).

Meaning:

• A person who tells tales or gossip, especially about others' misdeeds.

Origin:

The word "tattletale" is derived from two Middle English words:

• Tattle (verb): Meaning "to talk idly or without substance"
• Tale (noun): Meaning "a story or narrative"

The combination of these two words created the term "tattletale," which initially referred to someone who engaged in idle chatter or told stories that were not particularly important. Over time, the meaning evolved to focus on those who gossiped or reported on the wrongdoings of others.

By the 16th century, "tattletale" had become a widely used term for a person who enjoyed spreading rumors or revealing secrets. The word has retained its negative connotation and is often used to describe someone who is considered to be untrustworthy or malicious.

tattletale relate terms

• tale

  Etymology The word tale comes from the Middle English word tale which is derived fro

• talk

  Etymology Talk derives from the Middle English word talen which itself originates fr

• tell

  Etymology is the study of the origin of words and their changes in form and meaning Mean

• tell

  Etymology is the study of the origin of words and their changes in form and meaning Mean

• teller

  Etymology The word teller derives from the Old French word taleor meaning one who

• tattle

  Etymology Middle English tatelen from Old English tatol meaning to grope fumble ha

• gossip

  Etymology Gossip originates from the Middle English word godsib which was derived f

• kaput

  Etymology The word kaput is derived from the German expression Ganz kaputt or kaput

• access

  Etymology Latin accessus from accedere to approach come into contact with Proto It

• vacuum

  Etymology The word vacuum originates from the Latin word vacuus meaning empty or

• communicate

  Etymology The word communicate comes from the Latin word communicare which means to

• dynamic

  Etymology Greek dynamos powerful Dynamicos active Meaning Dynamic refers

• hangover

  Etymology Hangover First recorded in 1809 Derived from the Middle English hangove m

• genre

  Etymology The word genre derives from the Old French word gengre which in turn come

• respect

  Etymology The word respect derives from the Latin word respectus meaning a lookin

• inspire

  Etymology From Middle English insipyre from Anglo Norman French inspirer from Latin i