Grapevine
/ˈɡreɪpˌvaɪn/noun
A vine that bears grapes, or an informal network for spreading information.
Did you know?The modern “grapevine” meaning of rumor-spreading comes from the telegraph-world image of messages traveling informally, not from any ancient occult tradition.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
grāpe
“A grape or cluster of grapes”
Old English
OE
wīn
“Wine, fermented grape juice”
Middle English
ME
grape-vine
“A vine that bears grapes”
19th Century
English
the grapevine
“Informal channels of rumor or information”
Modern English
English
grapevine
“A vine producing grapes; informal rumor network”