Gossip is bad.
The word derives from the Old English word godsibb. “God” in Old English roughly translates to “idol” and “sibb” translates to “extended family or close friends.” Godsibb was a term for one’s godparents. The term was meant to identify a person the family looked up to, a role model for their child.
Now, gossip means “casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as being true.”
How did this happen?
Blame childbirth.
Back in the day, the birth of a child was a social event exclusively attended by women. The pregnant woman’s relatives and close friends, godsibbs, would gather and aimlessly converse during labor. The room was filled with godsibbs talking, thus the verb of godsibb was created and the term was almost exclusive to women.
But everyone gossips. Talking about anyone who isn’t in the room is considered gossip.
I gossip all the time.
Another interpretation is that gossip derives from the word gospel. Gospel is a contraction of “good spiel” meaning good story.
Gossip isn’t bad.
It’s just a good story.