'scuttlebutt' originates from the nautical term 'scuttlebutt,' which referred to a cask of drinking water on a ship. Sailors would gather around it to share news and gossip.

'scuttlebutt' changed from the nautical term 'scuttlebutt' referring to a water cask, and eventually became the modern English word 'scuttlebutt' meaning gossip.

Initially, it meant 'a cask of drinking water on a ship,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'gossip or rumor.'