Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1878-06-14
SUC0rASH.- No. IL.
June 8, 1873
GOSSIP.

GOSSIP.
IL Is well 10 trace the meaning OF words.
We can Use them more fttingIy in that
way. 1t is wonderful to note the changes
from time to time. The sense has, in some
Instances, been completely reversed. Thus,
to let meant to hinder, formerly; but now
1t means to permit. Sometimes what was
honorable has become vile. As, for in
stance, one of our short words once signifed
srvant-we use it as a synonym of rogue.
1t Is from German term meaning bov,
and we write it knave. The change in the
Specification OF the word at the head Of
this article is fully as great.
1t is no easy thing to trace tho different
shades OF SENSE in words. Our language is
really no language, as black is no color
but it is rather a medley of all tongues, as
white is a union OF all hues. Every new
discovery adds another class Of words to
our speech, and do not know but thar
we appropriate terms from unwritten
tongues, spelling them phonetica lily or by
sound. This variety makes our language
rich because We can choose from so many
words, but weak because We often take the
wrong term. To master the genealogical
division OF English grammar alone is what
very few do, Notwithstanding youth
plume themselves on their profound
knowledge OF the mother tongue when
graduating from school. But let us
still further illustrate this matter by
ha .f
We're | to ask the general reader the
meaning Of gossip he would correctly say
that it signifies idle talk - not necessarily
slander, yet practically rarely anything
else, for the essence of tale bearing is its
relation to man, and its life is his fanIts.
Gossip is a profession hike law, or a trade
rs dressmak ing, though less hard to learn.
There is great difference in the felicitous
perfection and success of gOssip ipers-indeed
some learn us easily as tuMbling from n
log; they seem to pick it up intuitively,
as IA duck learns to swim while others
never indulge in tattling-they may have
the ability, yet lack the will; though
never knew person who could and did
not babble or prate.
We call ourselves and are by others
termed Anglo-Saxons - that is, descend
ants from a union OF the Angli and Sax
ons, two races in the German fatherland.
From their languages come many of our
shortest, simplest, sweetest, dearest words,
as life, love, hope and home. This word
gossip is similarly derived, being a cor
ruption mot in the usual bad sense, but
meaning change) or modification OF the
compound Saxon term godsibb, god signify
ing not deity, (yet God is from the same
word) but good-and do we not read, "God
is good Y In the SaxonY however, the so"
is sounded long and the word as ii spelled
good. have not asCertaimed the dehni-
tion of the second syllable siJb, but sus
pect it originally meant father or friend,
or perhaps security or pledge; for all these
meanings the Saxon compound has includ-
ed mt some time.
We are obliged to Use words from one
to define those from another tongue Thus
sponsor is Latin, stolen by us from whole
cloth, 1t means surety; and snGnsor at
baptism is The bail for the religious train
ing OF the child. But you ask "What has
this to do with gossip? should like to
Know" Wait and see Another word
signifying sponsor is godfather, whose deri-
walton is evident from its form. Do yon
see any similarity in looks between god
father and gossip? All, you do! Yes
anu VIC " uAd oIlS were Cldngcu anu
the other dropped in godsibb, making gos-
sip, for euphony's sake. So much for The
derivation of our word.
The original meaning of gossip was god
father or good friend. From good fric:il
il became tippling companion, as drink
ing loosens the tongue aud makes one talk
ative as an intimate associate or a chum.
From tippling companion it easily came
to mean babbler, as one who talks much
speaks IDLY or prattles like child. Lat
terly gossip begins to signify slander, be-
cause babblers are naturally news-mongers
or tale-bearers, and tell-tales usually mix
malice with their news, as the spice makes
the prescription easier to take, like sugar.
coated pills. OF all these meanings only
babbler or tattler or something of the sort
is retained and in the not distant future
this Specification will be dropped and
calumniaLor or slanderer used instead.
Well, how different is gossip now from
what il was! Now gossiper is the neigh
borhood news print, and like a reporter
for newspaper he dresses facts In clothes
made, in part at least, OF his opinions and
preiudices and spites. Thus what was
only perhaps inludicious repetition, has
beceme ealumny, malicious and vengeful
the snakes slimy trail ScRIUE