Gossip and potins

August 17, 2007

Gossip

O.E. godsibb "godparent," from God + sibb "relative" (see sibling). Extended in M.E. to "any familiar acquaintance" (1362), especially to woman friends invited to attend a birth, later to "anyone engaging in familiar or idle talk" (1566). Sense extended 1811 to "trifling talk, groundless rumor." The verb meaning "to talk idly about the affairs of others" is from 1627.

Online Etymology Dictionary

Today I've chosen to translate "gossip" as potin, whose origin is also interesting. It comes from potine, a type of foot-warmer women brought with them when they gathered to have a chat in the winter. Other synonyms are commérages, cancans, ragots, qu'en dira-t-on, racontars.