The divine origin of the word Gossip

Whispers of the Womb: Gossip, from divine to tittle-tattle

In a captivating narrative of language, the word "gossip" emerges from the shadows of its Old English predecessor, "Godsibb." Linguistic that intertwines the sacred and the social, "Godsibb" or “Gods Sibling” marries the divine and familial, originally denoting godparents or those considered kin (or chosen family) in medieval times. This linguistic journey, marked by the patriarchy, is a poignant reflection of societal shifts that have often marginalized and belittled the female experience.

During the Middle Ages, childbirth remained a female-only event that sustained the collective culture of women, through the ceremony of childbirth. Birth was a woman's only affair, Gossips and people who were invited to the birth for the purpose of baptism, Provided the majority of emotional and physical support for the birthing women. Midwives, would wield charms and spells, and guide the women through this rite of passage. They did not so much intervene, pregnancy and childbirth were still considered normal life events, that did not require medical practitioners. They were present ‘with woman’ to assist may complications arise.

Gossip is the corruption of the word ‘Godsibb’ or ‘God Sibling’ referring to godparents and close kin. By the 1700’s Gossip came to refer specifically to women who attended births in groups. These Gossips, invited by the expectant mother, were typically her female relatives and close friends. Their role extended beyond the birth itself; they undertook the preparation of the birthing space, welcomed the new arrival, looked after siblings, and provided both practical and emotional assistance to the woman. Additionally, Gossips continued their support during the postnatal lying-in period, aiding with household chores and childcare.

In the villages and towns of Western Europe, a wave of male hostility toward the childbirth ceremony emerged. This resistance stemmed from women gathering behind closed doors for extended periods, triggering concerns about neglecting domestic duties and fostering suspicions among husbands about the nature of there conversations. The post-natal period, marked by women celebrating the birth with alcohol and merriment, became a focal point of scrutiny. In response to these cultural shifts, particularly during the late 16th century, various town governments in England attempted to regulate women's birthing festivities, especially during the lying-in period.

This shift in the approach towards ‘gossips’ is well illustrated in this poem written in the 16th century called:

Tittle Tattle, or the feveral branches of gofsipping (old english spelling)

At Child-bed when the Gofsips meet,
Fine stories we are told;
And if they get a Cup too much,
Their tongues they cannot hold.

The subsequent verses detail where gossips meet and how they behave, and the final verse reads:

Then Gofsips all a Warning take,
Pray cease your Tongue to rattle;
Go knit, and Sew an Brew and Bake,
And Leave off TITTLE-TATTLE.

Rooted in the word "Godsibb," a term that once encapsulated the sacred bonds of godparents or familial connections, the word "gossip" underwent a transformation that mirrors the broader historical trend of diminishing the importance of women's spaces and experiences. No longer a symbol of divine kinship, "gossip" has been reduced to a term associated with trivial chatter and tittle-tattle. This story shows the power of language in the extreme loss of a tribe, kinship and collective spirit, that has been taken from women through the centuries. And I would like to suggest reclaiming the term Gossip, and creating a new collective culture of women. Where we support one another through rites of passage and fight together to change a system that was never meant to work for us. 

Source: Reclaiming Childbirth as a Rite of Passage, by Rachel Reed, 2021 (page 16-18)