scuttlebutt /ˈskʌtəlbʌt/noun 2verb 2forms 3 noun2 •Originally (now chiefly historical), a cask with a hole cut into its top, used to provide drinking water on board a ship; now (by extension, informal), a drinking fountain on a modern ship.In this way, with an occasional break by relieving the wheel, heaving the log, and going to the scuttle-butt for a drink of water, the longest watch was passed away; […] — 1840 •(slang) Gossip, idle chatter; also, rumour.His resolve not to worry about unfounded scuttlebutt lasted about two minutes. — 2003 verb2 •(slang) To chat idly or gossip; also, to spread rumours.Isn't it scuttlebutted and kicked around that if Litton is successful that it will use its yard down at Pascagula, Miss.? Isn't that generally understood between you two gentlemen? — 1967 •(slang, rare) To spread (information) by way of gossip or rumour.Despite my sister's story, I am pretty sure they would have dismissed the bride story as so much malarkey scuttlebutted about by the town "talkers." — 2003 formsscuttlebutted · scuttlebutting · scuttlebutts
