Why do we say "through the grapevine" to mean an informal communications network ?

Answer 1

If you have ever been in grapevines...the looming vines obscures people's heads so we often do not know who spoke!

Answer 2

To hear something through the grapevine is to learn of something informally and unofficially by means of gossip and rumour. The usual implication is that the information was passed person to person by word of mouth, perhaps in a confidential manner among friends or colleagues.

Answer 3

When F.B. Morse came up with the telegraph,many telephone companies were interested, and put up telegraph poles and wires throughout their town, and the criss crossed wires reminded them of grapevines, and since info was spread thru the use of the wires thats how the expression"throught the grapevine" came about.

Answer 4

The path the infomation follows is long and twisted and for the most part hidden from any one person, just like a grapevine.

Answer 5

You know, bunches of grapes hang out together, they're all there on the vine, the wasps and bees come around and hang out too, then when the time is right the bunches get picked, get the juice kicked out of them, they get barreled and turn into wine, then drunk, and turn us into gossiping whinos, you know, it's all very informal and loquacious and stuff, doesn't have to be complicated, tell you what, if you have a bottle of vino, let's have a drink and a chat,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Answer 6

Tarzan was slow but sure; 1950ish informal term resulting from the Movies of the era.

Answer 7

This is where rumors & gossip was spread back way back when...picture a vineyard with the fieldhands picking grapes...conversations start and turn into rumors.