grape-vine
Informal news channel
A grapevine is the climbing plant that produces grapes, trained along trellises in vineyards.
The word extends to informal channels of communication—news travels through the grapevine when passed person to person rather than officially announced: I heard through the grapevine that she's leaving the company.
The image is of information winding its way like the twisting vine.
Informal talk spreading rumors
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
- buzzContinuous low drone
- word-of-mouthInformation shared through conversation
scuttlebutt · tittle-tattle · chatter · innuendo · speculation · leak · talk · underground
gossip
Informal talk spreading rumors
word-of-mouth · scuttlebutt · tittle-tattle · chatter · innuendo · speculation · leak · talk · underground · scoop
tendril
Coiling plant appendage
climbing · pergola · canopy · rootstock · cutting · grafting · harvest · cultivation · growing season · viticulture
grape-vineformal announcement
press release · official channels · formal communication · press conference · public address
grape-vineofficial record
Authorized documented account
firsthand account · primary source · hard evidence · sworn testimony