A little bird told me

Definitions

• receiving information from a secret source
  To imply that the information was received from an anonymous or undisclosed source

• avoiding revealing the source of information
  To use as a playful or joking way to avoid revealing the actual source of information

Examples of A little bird told me

• Sarah's friend called her in secret and revealed that Sarah's boyfriend had been unfaithful. Sarah was shocked and didn't know how to react. Later that day, Sarah overheard a group of women talking about her boyfriend's infidelity. She realized that the little bird she had heard about earlier was most likely the friend who had confided in her.

  The idiom "a little bird told me" is used to indicate that the speaker has received confidential information from a source that they are not willing to disclose. It implies that the information is sensitive and should be treated with discretion. In this example, Sarah learns about her boyfriend's infidelity from multiple sources, but she realizes that the friend who originally confided in her was the one who spread the news.

Conclusion

The idiom "a little bird told me" is commonly used to indicate that the speaker has received information from a secret source. This can be used in a serious context to imply that the information is reliable and trustworthy, as it was obtained from a confidential source. It can also be used in a lighthearted manner to suggest that the information may not be entirely accurate or should not be taken too seriously.

In addition, this idiom can also be used to avoid revealing the actual source of information. It can be used as a playful or humorous way to deflect questions about where the information came from, especially if the source is someone the speaker is not at liberty to disclose.

Origin of "A little bird told me"

The origin of this idiom is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have originated from the proverb "a little bird told me," which was first recorded in the 17th century. This proverb was used to imply that the speaker had received information from an unknown source, often a bird.

Over time, the phrase evolved into the more commonly used idiom "a little bird told me," which is still used today to indicate that information was received from a secret source. It is also possible that this idiom was influenced by the saying "a little birdie told me," which has a similar meaning and is often used in a playful or humorous manner. Regardless of its exact origin, "a little bird told me" remains a popular idiom that is used to convey the idea of receiving information from a hidden or undisclosed source.