scuttlebutt
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Also seen as: scuttlebug
Meaning · English
Gossip, idle chatter; also, rumour.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
"That's the scuttlebutt," Bronson said defiantly. "You got some pet coolie down there you want to put in Chien's place." / "Who told you that?" / "It's just scuttlebutt." / "Scuttlebutt travels on words." Holman's voice was shaking. "You tell me one man you heard say that, or I'll beat your fat face
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “scuttlebutt” mean?
Gossip, idle chatter; also, rumour.
Is “scuttlebutt” formal or informal?
scuttlebutt is generally slang.