English
Alternative forms
a little bird whispered in my ear
a little birdie told me
:and many other minor variations
Etymology
The phrase has a somewhat contentious origin, some attribute it to Ecclesiastes wikisource:Bible%2C_English%2C_King_James%2C_Ecclesiastes#Chapter_10|10:20 "for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter." While others believe that it originates from the Dutch saying Er lif t'el baerd "I should betray another." A third explanation is simply an allusion to carrier pigeons or other such messenger birds.
Idiom
a little bird told me
- idiom Of information which was gathered from a source not to be overtly exposed.
#: Let's just say I know because a little bird told me.
Usage notes
This phrase is often used more comically than seriously, especially when the source of the information is obvious to both parties but neither is willing to say.
See also
through the grapevine
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