Gossip is the human equivalent of 'social grooming' among primates, which has been shown to stimulate production of endorphins, relieving stress and boosting the immune system. Two-thirds of all human conversation is gossip, because this 'vocal grooming' is essential to our social, psychological and physical well-being.

Men gossip for just as long and about the same subjects as women, but tend to talk more about themselves. The study did find a sex difference in 'gossip partners', with men more likely to gossip with work colleagues, partners and female friends, while women gossip more with same-sex friends and family. But male and female gossip sounds different. Women are more skilled than men at making gossip entertaining – highly animated tone, plenty of detail and enthusiastic 'feedback'.



Gossip is, and always has been, good for us – essential to our social, psychological and even physical well-being.
therapeutic gossip in an alienating and fragmented modern world is helping us to cope, adapt and survive.