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Post date: Aug 19, 2012 8:18:43 AM
There is certainly research that demonstrates that gossip - sharing information about other people crosses all cultures, both genders and across social class.
Guilt about gossiping also seems to cross the spectrum
Lovely little article today on the origins of gossip.In a real Bill Bryson-esque item there is news of the origins - originally term was God sip which was the same word as godparent so certainly not the negative connotation of the word today. Apparently it was seen as being part of the fabric of village life - staying connected.
And then, in the 18th century, Samuel Johnson defined it as "one who runs around tattling like women at a lying in (or birth)". So the link to a woman's actions was born. Men of course don't gossip they share information. And of course all celebrity news is not gossip but something else. Personally I think it is boring but then I don't care about celebrities. However I do care about people I've met, family members, friends of my children and former workmates so willingly listen to shared information about any of them.
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