Various Definitions of Gossip:
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Gossip need not be all that bad. (With a clear conscience most all of us regularly gossip/chatter like this):
- Light informal conversation for social occasions
- ...divulging [non-derogatory, sometimes laudatory] personal information about others (WordWeb Pro)
- Idle chat
- Tittle-tattle
- Easy familiar writing (Chambers Dictionary)
- casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as being true [but of a non-derogatory, sometimes laudatory nature]: he became the subject of much local gossip.
(New Oxford Dictionary)
Down and dirty gossip:
- A report (often malicious) about the behavior of other people (WordWed Pro)
- Scandalous rumours
- Someone who goes about telling and hearing news, or idle, malicious and scandalous tales (Chambers Dictionary)
- chiefly derogatory a person who likes talking about other people's private lives (New Oxford Dictionary)
So when we consider gossip, it must recognized that it would be difficult to get through the day without passing on at least some interesting news about others. This need not be bad, and can even serve others. We can, in effect, function as a friend’s marketing department.
Malicious gossip intended to damage others is of another character entirely and must be avoided in whatever veiled form it appears. Its intent is not only to hurt others, but to poison the ambient atmosphere.
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