| 释义 |
bush telegraph
bush telegraph n 1. (Anthropology & Ethnology) a means of communication between primitive peoples over large areas, as by drum beats 2. a means of spreading rumour, gossip, etc Translationsbush telegraph
the bush telegraphWord of mouth; the grapevine. Don't expect that to stay a secret in this office—the bush telegraph is swift around here.See also: bush, telegraphthe bush telegraph BRITISH, OLD-FASHIONEDThe bush telegraph is the way in which information or news is passed from person to person in conversation. No, you didn't tell me, but I heard it on the bush telegraph. Jean-Michel had heard of our impending arrival in Conflans long before we got there. The bush telegraph on the waterways is extremely effective. Note: This expression refers to a primitive method of communication where people scattered over a wide area beat drums to send messages to one another. See also: bush, telegraphbush telegraph a rapid informal spreading of information or rumour; the network through which this takes place. This expression originated in the late 19th century, referring to the network of informers who kept bushrangers informed about the movements of the police in the Australian bush or outback. Compare with hear something on the grapevine (at grapevine).See also: bush, telegraphˌbush ˈtelegraph the spreading of news quickly from one person to another: Everyone knew about it before it was officially announced: the bush telegraph had been at work again. Bush in this phrase refers to the areas of wild land in Australia. Bush telegraph originally meant the people who informed bushrangers (= criminals who lived in the bush) about the movements of the police.See also: bush, telegraph |