Rumour and gossip have been noted in a wide range of sociological studies as performing significant functions: for the informant and the recipient, and for the relationship between them, as well as for the society in which they live.1 Although many items often appear to be insignificant, they may be part of a complex web of information and speculation which is a vital element in a particular community. Social scientists might be described as ‘scandal mongers’ par excellence since they live professionally off the minutiae of gossip which they manage to gather: they read political memoirs or listen to uninformed discussion and random recollection, because this material may contain important information about social behaviour.