scuttlebutt

Definition

Military rumors, gossip, or unofficial information passed around the ranks. Originally naval slang from the water cask where sailors gathered to chat, it's now the military's internal social media before social media existed.

Example Usage

The scuttlebutt is that we're deploying two months early, but nothing's official yet.

Origin

Naval term from the 1800s; 'scuttlebutt' was a cask of drinking water where sailors congregated and exchanged gossip

Fun Fact

Despite being considered unreliable information, scuttlebutt is often proven accurate because junior enlisted personnel somehow always know what's happening before officers do.

Source: Traditional naval and maritime terminology

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