Where does “hiss-and-tell” come from?
hiss-and-tell (English) comes from English hiss, from Middle English hissen.
hiss-and-tell (English): Disclosing private information in a hostile...
Definitions
- Disclosing private information in a hostile...
Ancestry of “hiss-and-tell”, step by step
hiss-and-tell traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English hiss
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | hiss | A sibilant sound, such as that made by a snake or... |
| 2 | Middle English | hissen | — |
via English kiss and tell
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | kiss and tell | To betray a confidence by disclosing private... |