Rumor vs. Gossip

By Jaxson

Main Difference

The main difference between Rumor and Gossip is that the Rumor is a unverified account or explanation and Gossip is a idle talk or rumor, especially about personal or private affairs of others

  • Rumor

    A rumor (American English) or rumour (British English; see spelling differences) (origin word from latin is ‘rumorem’, or noise) is “a tall tale of explanations of events circulating from person to person and pertaining to an object, event, or issue in public concern.”In the social sciences, a rumor involves some kind of a statement whose veracity is not quickly or ever confirmed. In addition, some scholars have identified rumor as a subset of propaganda. Sociology, psychology, and communication studies have widely varying definitions of rumor.Rumors are also often discussed with regard to “misinformation” and “disinformation” (the former often seen as simply false and the latter seen as deliberately false, though usually from a government source given to the media or a foreign government). Rumors thus have often been viewed as particular forms of other communication concepts.

  • Gossip

    Gossip is idle talk or rumor, especially about the personal or private affairs of others; the act is also known as dishing or tattling.Gossip has been researched in terms of its origins in evolutionary psychology, which has found gossip to be an important means for people to monitor cooperative reputations and so maintain widespread indirect reciprocity. Indirect reciprocity is a social interaction in which one actor helps another and is then benefited by a third party. Gossip has also been identified by Robin Dunbar, an evolutionary biologist, as aiding social bonding in large groups.

Wikipedia
  • Rumor (noun)

    A statement or claim of questionable accuracy, from no known reliable source, usually spread by word of mouth.

    “There’s a rumor going round that he’s going to get married.”

  • Rumor (noun)

    Information or misinformation of the kind contained in such claims.

    “They say he used to be a thief, but that’s just rumor.”

  • Rumor (verb)

    To tell a rumor about; to gossip.

    “John is rumored to be next in line for a promotion.”

  • Gossip (noun)

    Someone who likes to talk about other people’s private or personal business.

    “busybody|gossipmonger|meddler|rumormonger|Thesaurus:gossiper”

    “Be careful what you say to him: he’s a bit of a gossip.”

  • Gossip (noun)

    Idle talk about someone’s private or personal matters, especially someone not present.

    “dirt|hearsay|rumor|scandal|scuttlebutt|Thesaurus:rumor”

    “According to the latest gossip, their relationship is on the rocks.”

    “I have a juicy piece of gossip to share with you.”

  • Gossip (noun)

    Idle conversation in general.

    “chat|chinwag|chit-chat|natter|Thesaurus:chatter”

  • Gossip (noun)

    A genre in contemporary media, usually focused on the personal affairs of celebrities.

    “a gossip columnist”

    “a gossip blog”

  • Gossip (noun)

    A sponsor; a godfather or godmother; the godparent of one’s child.

    “sponsor”

    “godfather|godmother”

  • Gossip (noun)

    A familiar acquaintance.

    “friend”

  • Gossip (noun)

    Title used with the name of one’s child’s godparent or of a friend.

  • Gossip (verb)

    To talk about someone else’s private or personal business, especially in a manner that spreads the information.

    “blab|dish the dirt|spill the tea|talk out of turn|tell tales out of school”

  • Gossip (verb)

    To talk idly.

    “chat|chatter|chew the fat|chinwag|natter|prattle|shoot the breeze”

  • Gossip (verb)

    To stand godfather to; to provide godparents for.

  • Gossip (verb)

    To enjoy oneself during festivities, to make merry.

Wiktionary

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