skvallra

From Old Norse skvaldra (“to babble, chatter”), from or akin to Old Norse skvala (“to bawl, squeal”), from Proto-Germanic *skwel- (“to chatter, babble, scream”). Cognate with English squeal.

skvallra (present skvallrar, preterite skvallrade, supine skvallrat, imperative skvallra)

1. to tell on

   Nisse skvallrade när Olle pallade

   Nisse told on Olle when he stole fruit

2. to gossip

Used with på when used transitively.

• skvaller (“gossip”)

• skvallerbytta (“tattletale”)
• tjalla (“inform on, snitch”)
• gola (“snitch, rat out”)

• skvallra in Svensk ordbok (SO)
• skvallra in Svenska Akademiens ordlista (SAOL)
• skvallra in Svenska Akademiens ordbok (SAOB)