Listening to strangers on the Tube

"Eavesdrop" means to listen in — unnoticed — to a conversation. But where does the word come from? Eaves are the part of a roof that sticks out over the wall, providing cover from the elements. According to Word Origins by John Ayto, the eavesdrip or eavesdrop is, or was, the area of ground on which rainwater that runs off the eaves falls. Somebody who stood within this area with his or her ear to the door or window, trying to listen in on private conversations, became known as an "eavesdropper". Well, they didn't have television back then. It was probably as close as anyone got to enjoying a soap opera!

A good place to eavesdrop these days is on public transport. The rules for personal space are completely different, making it compulsory to stand within earshot. What makes it so intriguing to listen in on someone's conversation is the lack of context. You have to guess and come up with your own ideas.

You can even eavesdrop on the internet now. There's a man in London who has a whole blog about what he overhears on the Underground. It's called Tube Gossip. Here are some examples of the sound bites he collects:

How do you know that you're only 17?

Of course he's Spanish. Have you not looked at his hair? He has a mini-mullet — just little fronds at the back of his head.

You have a poncho? I have a poncho, too! High five!

You know how you tell when Sophie's at a party? When she's not on effing Facebook.

My spellchecker is rubbish. I was trying to order a bag of Wotsits and ended up with a wetsuit.

It's like being on the London Tube yourself, isn't it? Well, almost.