The Three Telltale Symptoms of Gossip (And How to Spot Them in Your Own Conversations)

One person leaning in to whisper behind a cupped hand to another in a social setting, illustrating the telltale signs of gossip.

“Nothing makes a long story short like the arrival of the person you just happen to be talking about.” Gossip is one of the most subtle and common vices of speech — and it isn’t just common among tabloid reporters or celebrity magazines. It creeps into prayer requests, text threads, dinner-table catch-ups, and small-town conversations. […]