tattletale
tattletale
Pronunciation
IPA Phonetic Spelling for "tattletale":
ˈtætlteɪl
Breakdown by Syllable:
tat (ˈtæ)
ˈ : primary stress on the first syllable
tæ : close front unrounded vowel (similar to the "a" in "cat")
tle (tl)
t : voiceless alveolar plosive (similar to the "t" in "stop")
l : voiced alveolar lateral approximant (similar to the "l" in "land")
tale (teɪl)
te : close front unrounded vowel (similar to the "a" in "make")
ɪ : near-close central unrounded vowel (similar to the "i" in "bit")
l : voiced alveolar lateral approximant (similar to the "l" in "land")
Word Form Variations
The word "tattletale" has the following word form variations:
Singular: tattletale
Plural: tattletales
There are no verb conjugations or other grammatical variations for "tattletale" itself. However, it is related to the verb "tattle," which has the following conjugations:
Present simple: tattle (I tattle, you tattle, he/she/it tattles, we tattle, you tattle, they tattle)
Past simple: tattled
Past participle: tattled
Present participle (gerund): tattling
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Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Noun:
Definition: A person, especially a child, who reveals secrets or tells someone in authority about something wrong another person has done, often with the intention of getting them in trouble.
Synonyms: informer, snitch, fink, nark, squealer, blabbermouth, telltale (mainly British English)
Antonyms: keeper of secrets, confidante, accomplice, silent bystander
Verb (informal): (Note: While "tattletale" is primarily a noun, it can be used informally as a verb.)
Definition: To reveal a secret or tell someone in authority about something wrong another person has done.
Synonyms: inform, snitch, squeal, fink, nark, blab
Antonyms: keep a secret, stay silent, cover up
Examples of Use
Books:
Children's Literature: "Don't be a tattletale, Sarah! Just tell Mrs. Smith you forgot your homework." (Generic children's book dialogue)
Classic Literature: "Lady Macbeth: 'Consider it done; but if thou speakest, Thou art an ever-lasting tattle-tale...' (William Shakespeare, Macbeth)
Newspapers:
"The teacher praised the student who came forward about the bullying, not calling them a tattletale, but a responsible classmate." (Local newspaper article)
Online Publications:
Parenting Forum: "My child keeps tattling on her siblings! How do I teach her the difference between tattling and reporting something serious?" (Online parenting forum discussion)
Entertainment Mediums:
Cartoons: In a classic cartoon scene, a character might whisper to another, "Don't be a tattletale!" after witnessing mischief.
Movies: A child might be called a "tattletale" in a movie scene if they reveal the villain's plan to the hero.
General Public Discourse:
Playground Argument: "I'm not a tattletale, I'm just telling Ms. Johnson you pushed me down!" (A child's argument on the playground)
Workplace Conversation: (Informal) "Don't be a tattletale and tell the boss I was late again!" (A coworker jokingly using the term)
Important Note: The use of "tattletale" can be subjective. While revealing serious wrongdoing is encouraged, using "tattletale" to describe someone reporting minor issues can discourage open communication.
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10 Famous Quotes Using the term Tattletale
Due to the negative connotation of "tattletale," it's not commonly used in famous quotes by respected figures. However, here are ten creative options that capture the essence of the word in different contexts:
Movie (The Princess Bride): (Inigo Montoya, sarcastically) "You seem a decent fellow. I hate to kill you. You seem a decent tattletale. I hate your guts." (This quote uses "tattletale" with playful sarcasm)
Children's Song (This Old Man): "He wouldn't pay the miller for grinding his corn; / That silly old man (that silly old man)! / Now the miller, he crowed, 'I'll tell everyone in town!' / Because you can't cheat an honest miller around!" (This song uses the concept of tattling for comedic effect)
Pop Culture (Schoolyard Rhyme): "Snitches get stitches" (This rhyme uses a synonym for "tattletale" to convey the potential consequences)
Historical Anecdote (Possibly Apocryphal): "Louis XIV: 'I have been wronged.' Cardinal Mazarin: 'Who wronged you, Your Majesty?' Louis XIV: 'Everyone!' (This anecdote uses the concept of tattling to show a king's sense of entitlement)
Workplace Humor (Office Joke): "There's a fine line between keeping someone accountable and being a tattletale. Let's aim for the former." (This joke highlights the subjectivity of using the term)
News Headline (Parody): "Local Politician Accuses Opponent of Being a Tattletale to Voters" (This satirical headline uses "tattletale" to mock political mudslinging)
Social Media Post (Parenting Struggle): "How do I teach my child the difference between tattling and standing up for what's right?" (This post reflects a common parenting challenge)
Spy Novel (Dialogue): "Never trust a double agent, they're just glorified tattletales playing both sides." (This fictional dialogue uses "tattletale" in a context of betrayal)
Historical Figure (Benjamin Franklin, Paraphrased): "Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead." (This quote, though not mentioning "tattletale," highlights the difficulty of keeping secrets)
Reality TV Show (Confessional): "I know it makes me a tattletale, but someone has to expose the truth in this house!" (This quote reflects the use of "tattletale" in reality TV drama)
Etymology
The word "tattletale" is a mashup of two older words: "tattle" and "tale."
Tattle: This word goes back to the 1500s and originally meant unimportant chatting or gossiping. Over time, it came to mean telling on someone, especially for doing something wrong.
Tale: This word has been around even longer, since Old English times (around 5th to 11th centuries). It simply means a story or account of something that happened.
So, putting the two together, "tattletale" literally means someone who tells stories (tales) about others' wrongdoings (tattles).
Interestingly, the first known use of the complete word "tattletale" wasn't until the 1880s! Before that, people might have called someone a "pickthank" if they told on others.
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Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Tattletale
Run crying to the teacher: This implies someone is tattling on a minor issue in a childish way.
Sing like a canary: (informal) This idiom means someone is revealing information about themselves or others, often under pressure. It doesn't directly use "tattletale" but conveys a similar idea.
Be a squealer: This is another synonym for "tattletale" and emphasizes the act of revealing something wrong.
Can't keep a secret: This describes someone who might be considered a tattletale because they can't hold onto confidential information.
Is there a tattletale in the house?: This is a playful (sometimes sarcastic) question used to see if anyone is willing to reveal something they witnessed.
Don't be a stitch (snitches get stitches): This is a playground rhyme used to discourage tattling, often with the implication of potential consequences. (Note: This approach is not generally encouraged as it discourages reporting serious issues.)
Posts Related to Tattletale
Source Information
Definition of tattletale from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
