chatter has it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chatter has it" is not a standard expression in written English and may be a misinterpretation of "chatter has it" or "rumor has it." You can use it in informal contexts to refer to gossip or rumors, but it is better to use the correct phrase.
Example: "Chatter has it that the company is planning to expand its operations next year."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Mr. Obama's aides point to the victories in North Carolina and elsewhere as vindication of their insistence that all is not as bleak for them as the Democratic chatter has it.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Early chatter had it that a great deal of Finding Dory's plot was going to be set at an aquatic theme park.

The Guardian - Film

Salesforce Chatter has its own Chatter Exchange for third-party apps, but Yext is going after smaller, local businesses which a much simpler product.

TechCrunch

(BBC) Hotel Wi-Fi, a Survey The site Hotel Chatter has released its exhaustive report on hotel Wi-Fi in 2011.

The New York Times

A new title sponsor is expected to be announced in April, and most chatter has been over whether it will be an Asian organization this time.

The New York Times

Then came the chatter about "having it all", about the Bridget Jones generation and women who secretly wanted to be like men.

The Guardian - Opinion

Chatter among the Abercrombie set has it that the Hamptons is becoming so in that it's out, though most would be hard-pressed to find the statistics to back up that assertion.

The New York Times

Yammer, a Facebook-like tool aimed at companies (it competes with Chatter), has signed up 2 million people in two years.

Forbes

It is shown that chatter has close relation with rolling conditions.

Journal of Advanced Research

It is also the case that plenty of extremist chatter has already moved from the likes of Facebook and Twitter to more obscure networks, which the intelligence agencies will find even harder to monitor.

BBC

Game of Thrones season five may have reached its brutal conclusion just last week, but chatter has already turned to what the sixth series may have in store.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you are writing a formal text or academic paper you should use something different such as: "it has been suggested", "according to the latest research" or "the evidence shows that".

Common error

Avoid using "chatter has it" in formal writing where a more credible and authoritative tone is required. Opt for phrases like "sources indicate" or "reports suggest" to maintain professionalism.

Linguistic Context

Communicative Function: The phrase "chatter has it" serves to introduce information that is circulating informally, often as gossip or rumor. It suggests that the information hasn't been officially confirmed but is being widely discussed. According to Ludwig, the term is not standard English, however the user still understands the meaning of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chatter has it" is an informal phrase used to introduce rumors or unconfirmed information. Ludwig indicates the phrase is not a standard expression in written English. While understandable, it's less formal than alternatives like "rumor has it" and is most appropriate for casual contexts. Analysis of source data reveals its prevalent use in news and media, but writers should exercise caution in formal settings. Related phrases, writing guidance, and FAQs offer additional insights into its usage and alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rumor has it

Replaces "chatter" with "rumor", a more common and standard term for informal gossip.

word on the street is

Uses a more idiomatic expression to indicate widespread but unverified information.

the grapevine says

Employs a metaphorical expression to suggest information spreading through informal channels.

sources say

Presents the information as coming from unspecified sources, implying some degree of confidentiality.

the buzz is

Uses "buzz" to convey excitement and informal communication surrounding a topic.

gossip suggests

Directly indicates that the information is based on gossip.

the scuttlebutt is

Utilizes a nautical term to refer to rumors or gossip.

insiders claim

Suggests the information is coming from people within a particular group or organization.

people are saying

A more general way to indicate that the information is circulating among the public.

the rumor mill has it

Highlights the unreliability of the information by referring to the "rumor mill".

FAQs

What does "chatter has it" mean?

The phrase "chatter has it" means that there's a rumor or gossip circulating about something. It implies that the information is unconfirmed but widely discussed.

Is "chatter has it" the same as "rumor has it"?

Yes, "chatter has it" is very similar to "rumor has it". Both phrases indicate that there is unverified information being spread, but "rumor has it" is more common.

What are some alternatives to "chatter has it"?

You can use alternatives like "word on the street is", "the grapevine says", or "sources say" depending on the context.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "chatter has it"?

"Chatter has it" is most appropriate in informal conversations or writing. Avoid using it in formal reports, academic papers, or professional communications.