What does talebearer mean?
A talebearer is someone who carries stories from person to person, especially gossip, rumours, or sensational information. The expression commonly suggests that the stories may be exaggerated, unverified, or deliberately spread to excite attention, provoke conflict, or damage someone’s reputation. Although the literal sense can be neutral—a talebearer might simply deliver news—the modern connotation is distinctly unfavorable. The word is consequently often used when accusing someone of disclosing private information or amplifying gossip, whereas “gossipmonger” may focus more explicitly on an habitual spreader of gossip. Talebearers should not be confused with neutral storytellers or reliable sources of news. The term is also sometimes written as “tale-bearer.” Its power lies in the vivid image of someone carrying words from one household into another, where the stories may become altered or more harmful along the way.
nounA person who passes on gossip or sensational stories, especially with the intention of stirring interest or causing harm.
- A person who spreads gossip, rumours, or sensational stories, especially to stir interest or cause harm.
- More generally, a person who retells stories or news from one place to another.
"Rather than repeat the rumor, she refused to act like a talebearer."
"The talebearer told everyone about the argument without checking whether the story was true."
"In the old story, the talebearer was rewarded for delivering a message, long before the word carried its modern association with gossip."
The regular plural is used for multiple people who spread gossip or carry stories.
"The talebearers quickly circulated the rumour across the entire office."
A talebearer may carry no bag at all, yet still deliver the heaviest cargo: gossip.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of talebearer
The word combines “tale,” meaning a story or report, with “bearer,” meaning a person who carries or conveys something. “Tale” derives from Old English talu, a word for an account or narrative, and is related to “tell.” “Bearer” is formed from the verb “bear” and the suffix “-er,” indicating an agent. The compound therefore literally describes someone who carries stories.
How talebearer is actually used
The term is now usually negative and implies spreading gossip or unverified stories. It is less common than the hyphenated spelling “tale-bearer” and is more accusatory than neutral terms such as “news source” or “storyteller.”