gossip; talk of the town
Refers to rumors or stories circulating among the public; somewhat literary or formal in tone.
The incident quickly became the talk of the town.
巷説によれば、彼は辞職するらしい。
According to gossip, he is going to resign.
street gossip; idle rumors; town talk
Compound of 巷 (chimata, 'the streets; public') and 説 (setsu, 'story; theory'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word has been used since classical times to mean stories or opinions circulating among the common people.