Telltale
/ˈtɛlˌteɪl/noun
A person or thing that reveals a secret or indicates something indirectly.
Did you know?The word began as a literal phrase in English, and its power comes from the idea that hidden things leave signs that cannot help but speak for themselves.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
tellan
“to count, recount, narrate”
Old English
OE
talu
“a story, account, or accusation”
Middle English
EN
tell tale
“a person who reveals secrets or informs on others”
16th Century
EN
telltale
“something that reveals what is hidden; an informer”
Modern English
EN
telltale
“revealing, indicative, or a person who divulges secrets”