🕊️ A Little Bird Told Me: Whispers and Secrets
Definition
“A little bird told me”: I have information from a secret source. A version of this saying appears in John Heywood’s 1546 proverb collection, and another a few decades later in Brian Melbancke’s Philotimus (“I had a little bird that brought me news of it”). It is still widely used by journalists protecting their sources of information.
Synonyms
- Heard through the grapevine
- My informant says
- Word on the street
- Rumor has it
- According to someone in the know
Antonyms
- Open secret
- Public knowledge
- Widely reported
Humorous Quote
“Behind every great rumour is a little bird keeping pub gossip exciting.”
Related Proverbs & Sayings
- “Walls have ears.”
- “Good news travels fast.”
- “Loose lips sink ships.”
- “Don’t shoot the messenger.”
Recommended Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies
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Books:
- The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton
- City of Secrets by Stewart O’Nan
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Songs:
- “Rumor Has It” by Adele
- “Little Bird” by Annie Lennox
- “Heard It Through the Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye
-
Movies:
- All The President’s Men (1976)
- Spotlight (2015)
- The Post (2017)
-
Poetry:
- “Secrets of the Meadow” by Louise Glück
- “Whispers” by Emily Dickinson
Quizzes
### Which of these is a synonym for "A little bird told me"?
- [x] Heard through the grapevine
- [ ] Flying on cloud whispers
- [ ] Shouting from the rooftops
- [ ] Talking with elephants
> **Explanation:** "Heard through the grapevine" is another way of saying you received information from an indirect or secret source.
### Which phrase means the opposite of "A little bird told me"?
- [ ] A shadowy whisper
- [ ] A private murmur
- [ ] The confidential crow
- [x] Open secret
> **Explanation:** An "Open secret" is something that is supposed to be secret but is actually widely known—quite the opposite of information from a covert source.
### True or False: The idiom "A little bird told me" can be used to protect journalistic sources.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** Journalists often use this idiom to conceal the identity of their sources while maintaining the integrity of the information.
Farewell Note: May you always be whispering wonderment, hearing secrets woven with wisdom, and enjoying the enchantment of idioms that dance through daily dialogues. Keep your ear to that imaginary grapevine, and let curiosity be your guide.
Yours in Words, Narrative Nest 🍃
