scuttle-butt

A sailor drinks fresh water from the scuttle-butt on the ship's deck.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A cask or container for drinking water on a ship: "scuttle-butt" refers to a cask or butt kept on the deck of a ship, containing fresh water for the crew to drink.
   • A source of gossip or rumor: In informal American English, "scuttle-butt" means a rumor or piece of gossip, often circulating among a group, such as sailors or coworkers.

Usage Examples

• Noun (water container):

  • The sailors gathered around the scuttle-butt to quench their thirst after a long watch. (The drinking water cask on the ship's deck.)

• Noun (gossip):

  • There's a lot of scuttle-butt about the new manager's plans to restructure the department. (Rumors or informal talk circulating among people.)

Advanced Usage

• "shipboard scuttle-butt": a specific term for the water cask on a vessel.

  • The old ship still had its original scuttle-butt near the forecastle. (The original water container on the deck.)

• "office scuttle-butt": informal gossip in a workplace setting.

  • Ignore the office scuttle-butt; it's usually exaggerated. (Disregard the rumors circulating at work.)

Variants and Related Words

• Scuttlebutt (n): the modern spelling and more common form of "scuttle-butt," referring to both the water cask and gossip.

  • The scuttlebutt around the water cooler was that the company was merging. (Gossip exchanged informally, often near a water source.)

• Scuttle (n, v): a small opening in a ship's deck or side; to sink a ship deliberately; to run with short, hurried steps.

  • The crew scuttled the ship to prevent capture. (They deliberately sank it.)

Synonyms

• Gossip: casual or unsubstantiated talk about others.
• Rumor: a piece of information that is unconfirmed and often spread informally.
• Talk: informal conversation, especially about others' affairs.

Related Idioms

• "Scuttle-butt talk": idle gossip or rumor.

  • Don't believe the scuttle-butt talk about the captain's retirement. (Don't trust unconfirmed rumors.)

• "Pass the scuttle-butt": to spread gossip or rumors.

  • She loves to pass the scuttle-butt around the office. (She enjoys sharing gossip.)