Comments on: What is it called when a story changes from person to person?

By: Philip

Philip — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 21:55:49 +0000

When a story changes it is considered a ‘rumor’.

Gossip is a conversation about personal matters: conversation about the personal details of other people’s lives, whether rumor or fact, especially when malicious.

Rumor is an unverified report: a generally circulated story, report, or statement without facts to confirm its truth. It also refers to idle speculation: general talk or opinions of uncertain reliability.

By: holly

holly — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 22:40:22 +0000

An elaboration of the truth.

By: Maggie

Maggie — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 22:22:56 +0000

Oral storytelling…becomes folklore later on. Also gossip, word of mouth, urban legends…

By: Bad Kitty!

Bad Kitty! — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 23:25:44 +0000

It’s also called “grapevine” (as in hearing something “through the grapevine”).

By: i am a tree

i am a tree — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 09:18:52 +0000

I’m not sure if you mean in real life or a game usually school children play.

The game is called ‘Chinese Whispers’
In real life you could say that a story changes on the ‘grapevine or it is ‘gossip’

By: momomo

momomo — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:25:01 +0000

Where I grew up it was called ‘Telephone.’ I’ve seen it called ‘Chinese (another word)’ here on Y!A.