scuttlebutt

[ skuht-l-buht ]

noun

1. Nautical.
   1. an open cask of drinking water.
   2. a drinking fountain for use by the crew of a vessel.
2. Informal. rumor or gossip.

scuttlebutt

/ ˈskʌtəlˌbʌt /

noun

1. a drinking fountain
2. (formerly) a cask of drinking water aboard a ship
3. slang.
   rumour or gossip

Word History and Origins

Origin of scuttlebutt¹

1795–1805; 1900–05 scuttlebutt fordef 2; scuttle ¹ + butt ⁴

Word History and Origins

Origin of scuttlebutt¹

C19: from scuttle ³ + butt ⁴

Example Sentences

He’s been fairly quiet about his terrible decision, although some recent scuttlebutt has suggested that he might be willing to get a plant-based vaccine that is currently in development.

From The Daily Beast

We are not encouraged to go into the office, and current scuttlebutt is that we will never go back — or, at most, it would be two days a week.

From Washington Post

That brought a response from John Rutledge, who ran a Florida-based newsletter, The Scuttlebutt.

From The Daily Beast

Rutledge ran a story in The Scuttlebutt, and Patsy got a phone call from man saying he was her sailor.

From The Daily Beast

But amid all the celebrity scuttlebutt the paper never quite lost a flair for serious investigative journalism.

From The Daily Beast

"Just understand that I don't give a hoot in a scuttlebutt if you do turn me over to the police," pursued the man.

From Project Gutenberg

I was about to lead him aft, but his eye caught sight of a scuttlebutt, and the tin-pot on its head.

From Project Gutenberg

I got that from the scuttlebutt, one of the guys who knew him from overseas.

From Project Gutenberg

Was there any scuttlebutt or rumor that he shot himself to get out of the service?

From Project Gutenberg

But any matter, it was pure scuttlebutt; it was pure speculation?

From Project Gutenberg