We all do this; women, men, children, old people, young people. At one time or another we do this, sometimes even not admitting that we are doing this. Since we can talk, we do this.

Even in ancient societies people loved to do this. Egyptologists recently uncovered hieroglyphics which contain gossip about everything from the baldness of the queen to the sexual orientation of the king.

The English word "gossip" originated as "godsibb," meaning "a person related to one in God," or a godparent. Until the 1800s, "gossip" denoted friendship. Today gossip is defined by the dictionary as "chatty talk; the reporting of sensational or intimate information."

Gossiping and rumoring is old as dirt. Sometimes it is as dirty as dirt. Sometimes it is as eye opening as morning coffee. Gossip sometimes destroys friendships, marriages, business partnerships. But very often, the damage that is blamed on gossip more rightly should be blamed on people who have acted badly. Such people will blame gossip for holding them morally accountable for their behavior, not being ready to accept that the gossip originated due to their own mistakes.

Until recently, it was taken for granted by moral that gossip was bad. However, at the end of 20^th century-beginning of 21^st people tend to replace values. What was considered bad since Bible times is now justified and turned in favor of sinners. Everything in life is relative. Those who were condemned perverts before are proud minorities now, people find euphemisms for criminals, for terrorists, for liars. Thieves who put everyone into debt are getting money to be bailed out. In this light one should not be surprised that gossiping is called a natural mechanism of communication actually benefitting the manhood. Some sources compare rumor spreading with grooming in animal world, i.e. vitally needed means of communicating. Others are spending rich funds for researches to prove the brain based dependence for gossiping.

Physiologists consider that gossiping is a habit which should be practiced, as people who are not able to lead private discussions are not popular and are loners. Journalists, reporters, paparazzi, politicians are professional gossipers doing it for living. Neighbors are doing it for fun. A person doesn't have to speak gossip in order to be guilty of it. As soon as he/she participates in it, they are involved. They begin to lower the bar. No matter what contemporary psychology tends to proclaim, gossiping and rumoring behind somebody’s back is a low moral. But, oh boy, how tempting it is and how hard it is NOT to fall for this when you hear “Listen, what I’ll tell you…..”, or “I know it from a reliable source…..”, or “You know what I’ve just heard…”

OK, what are other introductions for a gossiping session? Any suggestions?

There is a very tiny border between a low rumor spreading and telling someone about something. Everyone has to make his/hers choices. It is said that two-thirds of all human conversation is gossip. The best advise for gossipers should be- if you have nothing to do, go and solve a cross-word or puzzle, or read a book.

To harken to evil conversation is the road to wickedness.
Anonymous

No one gossips about other people's secret virtues.
Bertrand Russell

Gossip is always a personal confession either of malice or imbecility.
Josiah Gilbert Holland

What people say behind your back is your standing in the community.
Edgar Watson Howe

Whoever gossips to you will gossip about you.
Spanish Proverb

We cannot control the evil tongues of others; but a good life enables us to disregard them.
Cato the Elder

The only time people dislike gossip is when you gossip about them.
Will Rogers

Scandal is gossip made tedious by morality.
Oscar Wilde

No sword bites so fiercly as an evil tongue.
Sir Philip Sidney

Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip.
Will Rogers

Truth is not exciting enough to those who depend on the characters and lives of their neighbors for all their amusement.
George Bancroft

Even doubtful accusations leave a stain behind them.
Thomas Fuller

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love: but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
Bible