It depends on what kind of tatle tale. The kid that got extreme pleasure out of getting his friends in trouble was annoying. Not just an honest kid. But the kid that was honest when his teacher asked him who put the hamster in the python cage should be commended for his integrity.
from the definitions of tattle that I have seen, it seems to be associated with gossip and/or the spread of trivial information. I agree those types of tattlers are annoying.
But in my life most of the kids i've seen called tattle tales are actually simply doing the right thing (but even the adults scold them for tattling!)
hey, i think if tattle tales were honest in the biblical sense (i.e., faithful to justice), then we'd have no problem.
i wonder if part of hte bad rap comes from the history of the term...i mean, tattle **tales** (tails?) seems to imply fabrication or embellishment. anyone know the genesis of the phrase?
hats off to joseph, though, for nailing it on hte head. if only he'd comment on my own blog more often!! :D
The phrase tattletale actuallly finds it's origens in the phrase "telltale". Now, if you look at the origin of tell, the old english "tellan", it means to count or recount.
Now, tale is derived from the word "talu" which is a thing that is told.
Put the two together and you get telltale, which in and of itself simply means, something or someone who impart information. through the yars, telltale has developed into tattletale.
The American Heritage Dictionary defines the word "tale" as follows:-
1. A recital of events or happenings; a report or revelation: told us a long tale of woe. 2. A malicious story, piece of gossip, or petty complaint. 3. A deliberate lie; a falsehood. 4. A narrative of real or imaginary events; a story. 5. Archaic A tally or reckoning; a total.
Looking at defs 1 & 2, we should not be surprised that telltales (or tattletales) have a bad rap.
I agree the dictionary definition is mostly negative and usually implies gossip and some form of dis-honesty
My problem is not with the dictionary, my problem is with practical usage. I observe kids being called tattle tales when, in reality, they are just the only honest kid in the room.
If the term 'tattle tale' carries such a negative connotation, why are honest kids often given the label? That's my beef.
10 comments:
It depends on what kind of tatle tale. The kid that got extreme pleasure out of getting his friends in trouble was annoying. Not just an honest kid. But the kid that was honest when his teacher asked him who put the hamster in the python cage should be commended for his integrity.
good illustration
from the definitions of tattle that I have seen, it seems to be associated with gossip and/or the spread of trivial information. I agree those types of tattlers are annoying.
But in my life most of the kids i've seen called tattle tales are actually simply doing the right thing (but even the adults scold them for tattling!)
hey, i think if tattle tales were honest in the biblical sense (i.e., faithful to justice), then we'd have no problem.
i wonder if part of hte bad rap comes from the history of the term...i mean, tattle **tales** (tails?) seems to imply fabrication or embellishment. anyone know the genesis of the phrase?
hats off to joseph, though, for nailing it on hte head. if only he'd comment on my own blog more often!! :D
Come to my class for a day and then I want you to re-read your post.
We are teaching children independance by teaching them when it is appropriate to talk.
On the contrary--SOME TIMES ITS NOT TRUE OR ITS EXAGGERATED!!!
again, in my experience most kids labeled as tattle tales were just honest kids. they weren't stretching the truth, just reporting it.
If, however, tattle-tales around the globe are generally dishonest, i am against tattle tales too.
Dearest AP,
The phrase tattletale actuallly finds it's origens in the phrase "telltale". Now, if you look at the origin of tell, the old english "tellan", it means to count or recount.
Now, tale is derived from the word "talu" which is a thing that is told.
Put the two together and you get telltale, which in and of itself simply means, something or someone who impart information. through the yars, telltale has developed into tattletale.
The American Heritage Dictionary defines the word "tale" as follows:-
1. A recital of events or happenings; a report or revelation: told us a long tale of woe.
2. A malicious story, piece of gossip, or petty complaint.
3. A deliberate lie; a falsehood.
4. A narrative of real or imaginary events; a story.
5. Archaic A tally or reckoning; a total.
Looking at defs 1 & 2, we should not be surprised that telltales (or tattletales) have a bad rap.
Hope this helps somehow.
I agree the dictionary definition is mostly negative and usually implies gossip and some form of dis-honesty
My problem is not with the dictionary, my problem is with practical usage. I observe kids being called tattle tales when, in reality, they are just the only honest kid in the room.
If the term 'tattle tale' carries such a negative connotation, why are honest kids often given the label? That's my beef.
matthew,
i don't know if you know, but benson has a blog:
www.andrewdbenson.blogspot.com
in case you want to link to him, too.
added. thanks for keeping me up to date.
I don't allow tattle tales in my class room.... "If I don't see it happen, there is nothing I can do about it!
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