Even if a person has a lot to do, a complete blockage at work, you always want to satisfy information hunger and discuss some fresh news with friends. Often, such behavior is called the capacious word "gossip." This characteristic appeared in the Russian language a long time ago, but it looks unusual, creates ambiguous associations and confuses foreigners. What exactly does the definition mean when and how it came into colloquial speech? In practice, everything is extremely simple.
Sincere talk
A colorful term may indicate a very active, but absolutely pointless discussion. Have you bought new shoes and want to brag to your girlfriend? Embarked on lengthy discussions about the need for cosmetic repairs in the apartment? Each such situation most accurately fits the studied concept, which splits into two meanings:
- engage in gossip;
- to gossip.
Sometimes used in a negative way. After all, some people love to wash their bones with relatives, notice the flaws in the appearance and behavior of others, and then make hasty and rather offensive judgments about their personality.
Rural background
Where did the bright representative of familiar-colloquial style come from? It is possible to understand what “gossip” means from regional interpretations. There, experts first recorded the word, and already at the end of the 18th century they entered it into dictionaries. It is not possible to precisely identify the etymology, although identical spelling and pronunciation forms are found in many northern dialects.
Linguists see a morphological similarity with the regional Gorky "Sudak", which is interpreted as follows:
There is an unusual interpretation of “gossip” with a clear negative connotation in Kholmogory dialect:
- to complain;
- resent
- blame;
- to complain;
- judge.
The concept outlines a huge list of actions related to reasoning about a problem, as well as attempts to reach a final verdict on an alleged source of trouble. Why, Preobrazhensky, as an original term, refers to “pike perch”. Only not for fish, but for a bad judge, incapable of objective case management.
Daily communication
Add to the lexicon or not? Do not forget that "gossip" is a colloquial word, in official documents or in business correspondence inappropriate. It is used in private conversation in relation to those who like to chat with relatives, friends or colleagues. The word has a negative meaning, but at the same time one feels a dismissive attitude towards gossips. A playful or ironic intonation may close it, but be careful using a sonorous definition so as not to offend loved ones!