tell-tales
Sail's wind ribbons
Tell-tales are small signs that reveal something hidden or secret—evidence that gives away what someone wanted to conceal: The tell-tale signs of a break-in were obvious.
In sailing, tell-tales are short ribbons or threads attached to sails or rigging that show wind direction and airflow.
The hyphenated form is the standard plural of tell-tale as both noun and adjective.
One who informs on others
- snitchOne who tells authorities
- informerOne who reveals secrets
- squealerOne who betrays secrets
- ratRodent or informer
blabbermouth · gossip · talebearer · whistleblower · fink · nark · stoolie · grass
Informal cold-weather garments
- yarnsThreads or tall tales
- streamersDecorative hanging ribbons
- burgeeYacht club ensign
- luffSail toward wind
spinnaker · mainsail · jib · airflow · trimming · racing · rigging · windward
Free item or betraying clue
hint · sign · marker · tip-off · harbinger · omen · gauge · sensor
Unconfirmed circulating story
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- tittle-tattleTrivial, idle chatter
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
scuttlebutt · buzz · chatter · dirt · backbiting · slander · muckraking · tabloid
tattletale
One who informs on others
rat · blabbermouth · gossip · talebearer · whistleblower · fink · nark · stoolie · grass · canary
woolies
Informal cold-weather garments
luff · spinnaker · mainsail · jib · airflow · trimming · racing · rigging · windward · helmsman
giveaway
Free item or betraying clue
symptom · hint · sign · marker · tip-off · harbinger · omen · gauge · sensor · detector
rumor
Unconfirmed circulating story
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- tittle-tattleTrivial, idle chatter
scandal · scuttlebutt · buzz · chatter · dirt · backbiting · slander · muckraking · tabloid · blabber
tell-talesconcealers
Products that mask blemishes
cover-ups · disguises · masks · blinds · camouflage
tell-talesloyalists
Faithful to established authority
protectors · confidants · accomplices · co-conspirators · enablers
tell-talesfalse signals
Intentionally misleading cues
noise · static · interference · obscurants · confounders