The "G" Word

As humans we seem to want to know what the next person is doing. I am sure that was the case from early caveman to the present. Facts verus fiction have made many a newspaper, magazine, or TV station quite popular and in some cases, individuals rich. Whether the facts are true appears irrelevant. All one has to do is click on the television and see the latest "reality TV" programs that seem to flourished over the last few years or talk to that nosy neighbour who seems to know what everyone is doing on the block. Yes, I am talking about the "G" word - gossip. Where did the term originate?

Well, early politicians required feedback from the public to determine what the people considered important. Since there were no telephones, TV's or radios, the politicians sent their assistants to local taverns, pubs, and bars. They were told to "go sip some ale" and listen to people's conversations and political concerns. Many assistants were dispatched at different times. "You go sip here" and "You go sip there." The two words "go sip" were eventually combined when referring to the local opinion and, thus we have the term "gossip."

Hmmm. Did you hear about.........

Quote of the Day

"By the time we get old enough not to care what anybody says about us, nobody says anything."