He Said, She Said | Episode 1: Gossip in History

In this episode, hosted by Meddhya Singh, Mr. Chandril Ray Chaudhuri joins us for a deep dive into the medieval origins of gossip, to uncover a hidden history of power, gender, and control. We trace the linguistic and social transformation of “gossip” from its medieval origins as “godsibb”, a sacred term for trusted kinship, to its modern use as a gendered insult. We explore how women’s oral knowledge networks functioned as medical systems, support structures, and resistance movements in medieval Europe, and why these networks threatened institutional power. Through historical analysis and contemporary connections, we examine the double standard that labelled women’s information sharing as “gossip” while men’s identical activities became “political discourse” and “networking.”  Gossip has sparked revolutions, exposed predators, and preserved knowledge. It’s time to understand its real power.