Heard it through the grapevine

October 4th, 2015 by admin

Page 2 of 2 | Previous page

Posted in columns, September - October 2015 | 4 comments

Previous post:
Next post:

4 comments on this post.

  1. Hughe:

    October 8th, 2015 at 2:22 am

    But why a grapevine? What is the connection between a grapevine and the passing on information or rumour by word of mouth? Was there a connection between the telegraph made of wires strung between poles and how a grapevine grows?

  2. admin:

    October 8th, 2015 at 5:08 pm

    Only a visual similarity; the contrast between the then-new high-tech telegraph and the humble, tangled grapevine also gave the phrase a sardonic edge.

  3. Taylor Michaels:

    July 4th, 2016 at 3:23 pm

    Another possible explanation. While on vacation in Burgundy during the grape harvest, I was told that the grapes were all harvested at the same time in each section. To do that, a large group of pickers was gathered. There was, no doubt, discussions between pickers from various places allowing for passing of rumors and overhearing ‘through the grapevine.’

  4. Mel kay:

    January 5th, 2022 at 2:23 am

    I think the grapevine connection with something that is considered to be rumor or gossip is that the person passing the news was drunk as drunk people have a tendency to blab and open up, so it’s the drink that comes from grapes that gets you drunk that gets you talking and it’s kinda difficult for the listener to know if what is said is the truth or if it’s the “whiskey/wine” talking. (rumor/gossip). Maybe a bunch of drunks and a bunch of grapes together, can’t be totally factual.

Leave a comment