The problem with gossip IMO is 99% of what is mentioned is untrue, yet so many people prey on Gossip, because it fullfills something lacking in themselves.
Politicians and Celebrities obviously get the brunt of gossip as they are in the limelight and gossip goes with the territory.
Most chit chat gossip I have read about or someone has told me in regards to another, usually is always negative and IMHO pretty much a bore, that goes in one ear and right out the other.
If someone has positive uplifting comments they like to share about people,I always enjoy hearing about that...
Now don't you remember that episode of "I Love Lucy" where Lucy and Ethel bet Ricky and Fred who can go the longest without gossipping?
In order to trap L&E, R&F say something about the plumber fooling around with the milkman's wife, or some such. Rather than claim victory, L&E cannot resist spreading the gossip.
R&F claim victory because L&E were the first to gossip. L&E say no, they heard it from R&F. R&F say they weren't gossipping because they knew the story wasn't true.
The next day or so, the milkman is chasing the plumber around the apartment -- so apparently, the story is true.
R&F admit defeat.
At the end of the episode, L&E are paying off the milkman and plumber for helping them win their bet with R&F.
Now not everyone shares R&F's view of what gossip is. Etymology is not much help -- it is related to the Middle English "godsib," meaning "godparent." Now you might think that a godparent would not tell lies about his or her godchildren, and not even unflattering but true stories either.