careless talk
Unguarded spoken words
Careless talk is speech that reveals sensitive information through negligence or indiscretion.
The phrase gained currency during World War II in propaganda campaigns warning that casual conversation could reach enemy ears: Careless talk costs lives.
More broadly, it describes any thoughtless disclosure of information better kept private.
- gossipInformal talk spreading rumors
- loose lipsHabit of revealing secrets
- rumorUnconfirmed circulating story
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- indiscreetLacking prudent restraint
blabbing · slip · slip of the tongue · leak · spill the beans · chatter · idle chatter · reckless · thoughtless · rash · sloppy · heedless · blurt · spill · secrets · need to know · walls have ears · wartime
- expressions for speaking rashlyfoot in mouth, speak too soon, blurt out, speak out of turn, let slip
- war propagandawar posters, propaganda films, Soviet propaganda, patriotic imagery, demonization
- communication failsmisunderstanding, autocorrect fail, typo, wrong number, reply all
careless talkdiscretion
Careful judgment in speech
circumspection · diplomatic language · reticence · keeping mum · close-mouthed
careless talkoperational security
Protecting sensitive information from adversaries
OPSEC · information security · secure communication · confidentiality · keeping secrets
care, careless, carelessly, carelessness, careful, carefully, carefulness, cares, caring