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A.Word.A.Day--tittle-tattle

Pronunciation: WAV or RealAudio

tittle-tattle (TIT-l-tat-l) noun

Petty gossip; trivial talk.

intr.verb

To talk idly or foolishly; gossip.

[Reduplication of tattle.]

"Yet the tittle-tattle has performed a useful service, by prompting the royal family itself to open the debate." An idea whose time has passed. (British monarchy), The Economist, 22 Oct 1994.

This week's theme: reduplicatives.

X-Bonus

When you see a man led to prison say in your heart, "Mayhap he is escaping from a narrower prison." \ And when you see a man drunken say in your heart, "Mayhap he sought escape from something still more unbeautiful." -Kahlil Gibran (1883-1931) [Sand and Foam]

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