tattle

To tattle means to tell an authority figure about something another person did wrong—often a minor offense. It's usually seen as immature or disloyal, especially between friends. Think of little siblings tattling on each other to their parents! While reporting serious wrongdoing is important (and not tattling), simply telling on someone for borrowing your crayon without asking is definitely tattling.

Sometimes, "tattletale" is used as an insult. Calling someone a tattletale suggests they can't keep a secret or mind their own business. A classic children's rhyme even teases: "Tattletale, tattletale, hanging on a dog's tail!"

Imagine two kids building a magnificent fort out of blankets and pillows. One accidentally knocks over a lamp while reaching for a pillow. If the other kid immediately runs to tell Mom, that's tattling. It's revealing someone else's mistake—often a small one—to get them in trouble.

Tattling differs from reporting something serious. Telling an adult if your friend is being hurt or doing something dangerous isn't tattling; it's seeking help. Tattling usually involves minor infractions, like breaking a rule about sharing toys or making too much noise. It is often motivated by a desire to get someone else in trouble rather than a desire to fix the problem itself.

The word "tattle" stems from Middle English and Middle Dutch roots meaning "to prattle" or "chatter." Over time, it developed a negative connotation, implying a childish and disloyal act of reporting secrets or minor faults.

You might hear phrases like "stop tattling!" or hear someone accused of being a "habitual tattletale." While adults don't typically tattle in the same way children do, they might be accused of "running to the boss" if they report minor issues about coworkers instead of addressing them directly. So, while telling on someone isn't always wrong, when it involves small offenses and a desire for punishment, you're likely dealing with tattling.