From tattle plus the agent suffix -er. The gossip sense is recorded from the 1540s, while tattle goes back to late Middle English words for stammering, babbling, and idle talk, probably of imitative origin.
From tattle plus the agent suffix -er. The gossip sense is recorded from the 1540s, while tattle goes back to late Middle English words for stammering, babbling, and idle talk, probably of imitative origin.
What does tattler mean?
Tattler most often means a person who tells tales, spreads private talk, or reports small faults.
Is tattler a noun or a verb?
Tattler is a noun. The related verb is tattle.
What is a tattler bird?
A tattler can be a long-legged shorebird in the sandpiper family, especially the wandering or gray-tailed tattler.
Can tattler mean a vehicle recorder?
Yes. In older or technical use, a tattler can be a device that records vehicle mileage, speed, or driver activity.
Can tattler name a fish?
Yes. Tattler is also a common name for Serranus phoebe, a small western Atlantic sea bass.
Is tattler formal?
The person sense is informal and often disapproving. The bird, recorder, and fish senses are more technical.
What is the plural of tattler?
The regular plural is tattlers.
What is the difference between tattler and tattletale?
Tattler and tattletale are close synonyms for a person who tells tales, though tattletale is especially common in school or child contexts.
What is the origin of tattler?
Tattler comes from tattle plus -er. Tattle is probably imitative of babbling or idle chatter.
How are the meanings of tattler kept apart?
Human gossip points to the person sense, coastal birds point to the shorebird sense, vehicle data points to the recorder sense, and Serranus phoebe points to the fish sense.