Tale-bearer

A tale-bearer is an individual who maliciously or habitually reveals confidential or private information about others, often with the intention of causing discord, harm, or disapproval. They spread gossip, rumors, and scandalous details, frequently exaggerating or distorting the truth for dramatic effect or personal gain. Their actions contribute to the breakdown of trust, damage relationships, and create a climate of suspicion. The motivations of a tale-bearer can range from a simple desire to feel important to more complex drives like envy, revenge, or a need for attention. This behavior is generally considered to be a negative social trait.

Tale-bearer meaning with examples

• At the office, Sarah was known as a tale-bearer. She couldn't resist sharing sensitive information about her colleagues' personal lives and work performance, causing friction within the team. Her constant gossip created a hostile environment, eroding trust among her coworkers, and made it difficult to collaborate effectively. Eventually, her colleagues avoided her, and her reputation suffered as a result of spreading negativity.
• The children’s playground often became a battleground for a tale-bearer. Little Timmy would frequently run to the teacher to report minor infractions committed by his classmates, like skipping in line or not sharing toys. These behaviors, though seemingly harmless, created a divide among the kids. It instilled resentment toward Timmy, causing him to be isolated and undermining their sense of camaraderie and fairness.
• In historical accounts, the royal court often saw the presence of tale-bearers, acting as spies and informers for the king. These individuals used the spread of information to influence the monarch and gain favors. Such behavior encouraged paranoia and distrust among nobles, fostering plots and undermining genuine alliances, creating a dangerous and unstable political landscape.
• The neighborhood watch group was ruined by the presence of a tale-bearer. This person would spread exaggerated accounts of perceived wrongdoings to instigate community outrage and animosity. They would embellish instances of perceived crime, leading to harassment of innocent neighbors and destruction of the social fabric within the community. Their activities fostered fear and division within the community instead of cohesion and safety.
• During a sensitive corporate merger, a tale-bearer leaked confidential information to the press. This resulted in a drop in stock prices, damaged investor confidence, and caused significant financial losses for the company involved. The individual's actions resulted in legal repercussions, along with lasting damage to the business's reputation, because trust in management was ruined and their activities caused financial harm.