What is the 'gossip tense'? | | The Turkish language has a clever way of keeping the rumor mill running smoothly. "Gossip tense" is a unique way to communicate hearsay without misleading the listener. Here's how it works. | |  | Rachel Gresh |
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| |  | | G ossip has a bad reputation. The definition of gossip is "to retail facts, rumors, or behind-the-scenes information about other persons," but the practice is known for spreading unfounded rumors and secrets about people who aren't able to refute them. However, practically everyone is guilty of sharing a tidbit of information or relaying some insider knowledge. As the famed journalist Barbara Walters once said, "Show me someone who never gossips, and I will show you someone who is not interested in people." It feels good to gossip sometimes, and the Turkish language has an interesting feature that supports sharing information. It's known informally as the "gossip tense."
This grammatical form highlights when information is secondhand, a quality that would be useful in all languages. In Turkish, using this tense isn't just a stylistic choice; it's expected if you're sharing unverified information. It helps the listener distinguish between established facts and mere hearsay, so failing to use the correct tense can lead to misunderstanding. |
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Emoji Decoded | |  | | Mirror Ball | | | Meaning: Depicts a classic disco ball covered in small mirrors to reflect lights on a dance floor.
Evolution: The disco ball is not stuck in the 1970s — the Mirror Ball 🪩 fits into any celebration. This emoji became particularly popular with fans of Taylor Swift when she released the song "Mirrorball" in 2020.
Usage: [Group text:] Who wants to go dancing tonight? 🪩🕺💃 |
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| | Mirror Ball | | | Meaning: Depicts a classic disco ball covered in small mirrors to reflect lights on a dance floor.
Evolution: The disco ball is not stuck in the 1970s — the Mirror Ball 🪩 fits into any celebration. This emoji became particularly popular with fans of Taylor Swift when she released the song "Mirrorball" in 2020.
Usage: [Group text:] Who wants to go dancing tonight? 🪩🕺💃 |
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Have you read? | |  | | The Road to Tender Hearts | | | | Widower PJ Halliday has decided to drive cross-country to see his recently widowed high school flame, and he brings along his daughter, wayward grandchildren, and a cat who can predict death. This novel is a very sweet character study based around the vagaries and joys of road-tripping, and I was obsessed with the whole family by the end. | | | | Julia Rittenberg, Word Smarts Writer | | | | We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. |
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| | The Road to Tender Hearts | | | | Widower PJ Halliday has decided to drive cross-country to see his recently widowed high school flame, and he brings along his daughter, wayward grandchildren, and a cat who can predict death. This novel is a very sweet character study based around the vagaries and joys of road-tripping, and I was obsessed with the whole family by the end. | | | | Julia Rittenberg, Word Smarts Writer | | | | We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. |
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