the word tattletale is a reduplicative compound formed within english. the first element, tattle, is an onomatopoeic verb from the late middle english period, imitative of idle chatter. the second element, tale, is a native english word from old english, originally meaning a narrative or account. when combined, the compound literally means "a teller of gossipy stories." it emerged in american english during the 19th century, specifically to describe a child who reveals the misdeeds of others to an authority figure, blending the sense of frivolous chatter with the act of reporting.

Structure: tattle (to gossip) + tale (a story) tattle (from middle english tatelen, of imitative origin, meaning to chatter or gossip); tale (from old english talu, meaning a story, account, or number).