Gossip! Yes, gossip is universal. In some languages, it may have an outright negative connotation but in English, it basically means 'idle talk; chat about trivial things or matters. When moderate and kind, 'casual talk' may serve to exchange useful information as a means of updating one's knowledge. The whole neighborhood may grow gossipy with who got married, pregnant,died or it may just be a humorous chitchat devoid of malicious intent. However, idle talk more often than not, degenerates beyond the bounds of propriety and good estate. Facts get embellished, exaggerated or deliberately distorted. Humiliation is made the source of humour, privacy is violated, confidence betrayed and reputationa injured or ruined. Condemnation takes the place of commendation, murmuring and fault finding are extolled. The end result is like the mud thrown on a piece of White cloth. It does not stick but leaves a dirty and sometimes permanent stain behind. ...