So if rumors about company mergers and acquisitions aren’t necessarily gossip, what is workplace gossip? A few examples come to mind (with names changed):

1. Did you hear that Hildegaard and Bartholomew are dating?

2. Did you know that Hildegaard and Bartholomew spent all night at work on that project?

3. Did you hear that Hildegaard and Bartholomew were married over the weekend?

4. Did you hear that Hildegaard is pregnant with the UPS guy’s kid?

Which one (or ones) of these is gossip? And why? All? None? Only #4?

Your thoughts in comments, please, if you have them.