30 June 2013

scuttlebutt

[skuht-l-buht]

noun

1. Nautical
a. an open cask of drinking water.
b. a drinking fountain for use by the crew of a vessel.
2. Informal. rumor or gossip.

Origin:
1795–1805; 1900–05 for def 2

news; information; gossip. (The legend of origin is that the scuttlebutt was a butt [= cask, keg] of drinkingwater located near a scuttle [= hatch]. Sailors gathered there to exchange gossip.) :  What’s the scuttlebutton the steeple clock? Why did it stop?

Today’s aphorism

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

– Nelson Mandela

On this day

30 June 1950 – US President Truman sends troops to South Korea to assist in repelling the North Korean Army. He calls on the Soviet Union to negotiate a withdrawal from North Korea, however, the Soviets blame South Korea for an unprovoked attack.