scuttlebutt

Meaning

Noun

• A butt#Etymology_3 with a scuttle#Etymology_2 — that is, a keg of drinking water with a hole cut in it, on board ship.
• Gossip, rumour, idle chatter.

Related

Similar words

• scuttle-cask

Origin

• From scuttle#Etymology_2 + butt#Etymology_3. In sense of gossip, because sailors would gather around the scuttlebutt to drink and exchange gossip; compare water cooler and furphy.